Chapter 55: Competition (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 55: Competition (3)
Before anyone knew it, the competition had reached its final stages.
As they were all Rising Stars chosen to represent their respective halls, none among them were lacking. Consequently, every match was fiercely contested.
Amidst the fierce competition, two swordsmen stood out.
Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong.
These two Rising Stars had won every single one of their duels. Although a few others boasted high win rates, none could match the perfect records of Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong.
"I didn't expect Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong to show such overwhelming dominance."
"It's especially surprising that Baekri Cheong defeated the other Rising Stars of the Martial Conquest Hall. His growth rate is extraordinary."
"In terms of sheer achievement, Namgung Jun is a monster. His accomplishments are unheard of."
The seniors in the spectator seats watched the stage with gleaming eyes. Depending on the outcome of the next duel, the entire competition could end right here and now.
I must win this duel at all costs.
Samyeop of the Flying Swiftness Hall stared at Namgung Jun with determined eyes.
If Namgung Jun won this match, his record would tie with Baekri Cheong's, placing them both in a joint first place. Should that happen, even if Jang Mun-hyeok—who was chasing closely behind—or Samyeop himself won all their remaining duels, they wouldn't be able to catch up.
Since only two Rising Stars would be selected, the spots would be locked in for Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong.
To keep even a sliver of hope alive, Samyeop had to win.
I can't face him head-on. I'll drag out the fight and aim for an advantage in internal energy and stamina.
Samyeop of the Flying Swiftness Hall moved his feet rapidly. Every time they pushed smoothly off the ground, his form blurred. The Clouds of the Flying Swiftness Hall specialized in footwork, movement arts, and lightness skills—collectively known as the Lightness Movement Art.
As one of the top Rising Stars of his hall, Samyeop's footwork was indeed extraordinary. Namgung Jun's own footwork was impressive for his age, but it was nothing compared to Samyeop's.
Slipping out of Namgung Jun's range with a single step, Samyeop felt a surge of confidence.
I definitely have the upper hand in Lightness Movement Art.
Namgung Jun's profound sword skills, which defied his age, were certainly difficult to face directly. Therefore, Samyeop had to leverage his specialty.
He must have neglected his Lightness Movement Art training in favor of his sword techniques. Or perhaps his innate talent for the sword is just that monstrous.
As Samyeop kept his eyes on Namgung Jun, his pupils suddenly dilated. The space before him had instantaneously filled with blue sword light.
Swoosh!
The swift strikes of the Thirteen Lightning Flash Sword Thunders surged forward like a bolt of lightning, reaching right under his chin. The speed was incredible, making the hair on his neck stand on end, but Samyeop barely managed to twist his upper body out of the way.
"Crazy bastard!"
The attack was so fast that a curse slipped out. He was flustered, but at the same time, a thrill ran through him. He wanted to praise himself for reacting in time to dodge such a terrifyingly swift sword.
But that feeling lasted only for a split second.
Namgung Jun's sword, having closed the distance in an instant, was already aimed precisely at him again.
Samyeop immediately retreated, kicking the air. The Qi Wave from his footwork caused the air to ripple and vibrate. His backward step to evade had instantly transformed into a kick to attack.
Boom!
With a sound like a bursting drum splitting the air, a thick gale from his kick shot forward in the shape of a translucent cylinder. It was a Lightness Movement Art that integrated offense and defense into one: the Flying Swiftness Hall's Void-Wave Flooded Body Art.
As Samyeop began to unleash the signature technique of the Flying Swiftness Hall in earnest, the air compressed and gales of wind blasted forward every time his feet struck empty air. His consecutive steps kicked off the atmosphere, drawing violent ripples. Dozens of kick-gales poured down alongside his evasive maneuvers.
It was as if he were conjuring a small storm with his legs.
Whoosh!
Samyeop circled the stage, unleashing the ultimate moves of the Void-Wave Flooded Body Art in rapid succession. Trapped by the gales whipping in from all directions, Namgung Jun was pinned to the center of the stage.
Dozens of kick-gales rushed in within a single breath, but Namgung Jun's defense remained rock-solid. The sword wind flowing from his blade bared its sharp teeth, tearing the incoming gales to shreds.
Even facing the Void-Wave Flooded Body Art head-on, he was barely affected, his hair and sleeves merely fluttering wildly. This sight made Samyeop anxious, but he shook his head to clear his thoughts.
I must never let him close the distance.
Namgung Jun couldn't maintain such an ironclad sword momentum forever. There were bound to be limits to his internal energy and stamina. Samyeop repeatedly kicked off the air, waiting for that moment.
Step.
Standing tall in his spot, the boy who had been consistently on the defensive took his first step forward.
Did he finally lose his patience and move first?
Namgung Jun began to advance, but nothing changed. Since his mastery of the Lightness Movement Art fell far short of Samyeop's, he couldn't close the gap. Yet, Namgung Jun stubbornly kept walking forward.
As this loose chase continued, Samyeop suddenly felt something was off.
"Huh?"
Namgung Jun's movements, which had previously been limited to executing the Infinite Steps, grew bizarre. A heavy Qi Wave erupted from his entire body, vibrating the air and creating ripples. The thick ripples bursting around Namgung Jun stacked vertically, layer upon layer, looking almost like a translucent pillar.
"This is..."
Samyeop's eyes widened as he observed Namgung Jun's Qi Wave. The profound principles of the Qi Wave vibrating and compressing the air were incredibly familiar.
There's no mistake.
The principles of the Void-Wave Flooded Body Art were blending into Namgung Jun's Qi Wave.
He's mimicking it just by watching?
It was absurd. To do that, one would need to know not only the flow of the Qi Wave but also the mnemonic formula, the mental concept behind the martial art, and the qi circulation pathways. Stealing a martial art just by looking at it was impossible.
At least, according to Samyeop's common sense, it was.
However, Namgung Jun's perspective was different.
It should be something like this.
He wasn't stealing the Void-Wave Flooded Body Art. He was merely using its flow and movements as a source of new inspiration. As for the skeleton and substance needed to fill the framework, he only had to reconstruct the martial arts of the Namcheon Palace and the profound principles of movement he had newly encountered in the Self-Reflection Martial Repository.
Stack the Qi Wave firmly and thickly to expand the domain.
Whoosh!
The endlessly shifting flow of the Qi Wave suddenly leaned in one direction. It became stubborn and steadfast.
Clad in this transformed Qi Wave, Namgung Jun's movements also began to morph. Using his entire body like a single pillar, he broke through dozens of kick-gales head-on with upright, rigid movements.
"What?!"
Unlike before, when he had been dodging and weaving, Namgung Jun was now advancing in a straight line. Yet, it did not look reckless. On the contrary, an oppressive pressure, as if a massive pillar were tilting forward, surged toward Samyeop.
Samyeop explosively released his internal energy, pushing his speed to its absolute limit. However, instead of receding, Namgung Jun's face only grew larger as he drew closer.
Along with his approach, the blue light filling Namgung Jun's pupils deepened, shining with a brilliant luster. This phenomenon occurred as newly cultivated principles and insights stimulated his mindscape.
Movements that allow one to stubbornly forge ahead under any circumstances. Robust motions that allow one to thrust the sword despite any interference.
Having organized the key principles and insights of his new movement art, Namgung Jun wove them into a single core formula.
A pillar connecting heaven and earth.
Repeating the formula endlessly in his mind, the boy recalled the mental concept for his new art.
[To advance without stopping, one must possess a steadfast center.]
Bang, bang, bang!
Even as the ultimate moves of the Void-Wave Flooded Body Art bombarded his entire body, Namgung Jun's advance did not stop. If anything, it grew even more imposing.
[Using this humble body as a pillar to support the blue sky, it shall not shake under any wind or wave.]
The autumn sky that his disciples had protected in his past life. To protect that blue sky, which held proper chivalry, he would personally become its pillar.
Thud!
A fitting mental concept settled into the new martial art. A dull vibration, like a pillar being driven firmly into the ground, erupted with Namgung Jun at its center.
Nothing could stop his advance.
The distance closed in an instant. For the first time, the distance was controlled by Namgung Jun's initiative. And without any interference, the Thirteen Lightning Flash Sword Thunders smoothly burst forth.
"..."
Unlike before, Samyeop could not react. Before he knew it, a blade clad in lightning was poised at his throat.
It was the first time Samyeop's endlessly moving feet had come to a halt.
"I yield."
"Thank you."
As Namgung Jun withdrew his sword, Samyeop let out a ragged breath he had been holding. He looked at Namgung Jun in confusion.
"You're... thanking me?"
"I drew inspiration from your movements, Senior."
"Are you talking about that movement art you used to crush the gales of my Void-Wave Flooded Body Art?"
Namgung Jun nodded quietly.
Recalling the Thirteen Lightning Flash Sword Thunders and the Heavenly Wind Sword Technique that Namgung Jun was said to have created, Samyeop asked, "Don't tell me... did you just create a new movement art?"
"Yes."
"What is its name?"
Samyeop asked, but the spectators, including Jegal Mu-ran who was watching the duel, were already focused on Namgung Jun's lips.
Namgung Jun closed his eyes for a moment.
Because he used his body as a pillar to support the heavens, it was Cheonju (Heaven-Pillar). Because he had to resolutely forge ahead, it was Uijeok (Resolute Advance).
"Movement Art. Heaven-Pillar Resolute Advance Movement Art."
Samyeop let out a sigh mixed with admiration and regret. "The Heaven-Pillar Resolute Advance Movement Art... A completely unprecedented type of movement art has emerged."
He had to win this duel to be selected for the Mount Song Gathering. Since he had failed, his chances were gone.
But it doesn't matter.
Perhaps it was because he had witnessed the creation of a new movement art right before his eyes, but his mind tingled as if a new inspiration was about to spark. If he could grasp this thread of realization, his mastery of the Void-Wave Flooded Body Art would likely improve significantly. He felt a strong urge to head straight to the Flying Swiftness Hall and devote himself to training.
"With this victory, Namgung Jun has tied for first place alongside Baekri Cheong."
Divine Mechanism Hall Master Jegal Mu-ran appeared on the stage before anyone realized.
"Even if Baekri Cheong and Namgung Jun lose all their remaining duels, their first-place positions are guaranteed. Therefore, the competition concludes today. Baekri Cheong and Namgung Jun have been selected as the Rising Stars to participate in the Mount Song Gathering."
Despite Jegal Mu-ran's announcement, the Clouds in the spectator seats showed no reaction. Instead, they wore dissatisfied expressions and signs of discontent.
"...?"
Just as the Divine Mechanism Hall Master looked at the Clouds in confusion, Namgung Jun spoke up.
"Hall Master. Although the results have been decided, I would like to test my skills against Young Hero Baekri."
Only then did Jegal Mu-ran realize what the crowd wanted.
"Though it is a duel that doesn't strictly need to be held..." With a wry smile, the Hall Master looked around and asked Baekri Cheong, who was waiting nearby, "Baekri Cheong. Are you willing to have one more duel, as Namgung Jun requested?"
"It is exactly what I wanted."
Simultaneously with his answer, Baekri Cheong leaped from his spot and landed on the stage.
Standing side by side, the two swordsmen looked at each other. The days when they competed as novices, with no clouds on their sleeves, were still vivid in their minds. But now, facing each other again as Second Clouds, they couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
Would one still maintain his superiority?
Or would the other have caught up, showing a different dynamic than before?
The two swordsmen sized each other up in an endless, silent moment.
"Begin!"
At Jegal Mu-ran's command, the two drew their swords at the same time.
Clang!