The Black Tortoise Sword
The Hyeonmu Paegeom had changed. Until moments ago, it had been clumsy, its wielder unable to fully control his own energy. Yet the instant he drew his sword into a ready stance, the Hwi-bong from his memories stood before him once more.
Was she already consumed by inferiority at this point in her previous life?
Baekri Hyeong held a favorable impression of Namgung Hayeon. Setting aside the enmity between their clans, she had fought brilliantly in the war against the Heavenly Demon Cult. At the time, even the righteous factions had respected her as a master whose brilliance shone on the battlefield. Of course, his own skill far surpassed hers, but she too had been a formidable warrior who had reached the Hwagyeong realm.
Perhaps he had been too harsh upon first meeting her after his regression, disappointed by what he saw. Yet after being scolded a few times by a child, she had completely changed her attitude. He had not intended to spar, but at this point, testing her did not seem like a bad idea.
“There is one condition, however.”
“A condition?”
“Yes. I would prefer we conduct the duel quietly, just the two of us. And tell no one.”
The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was only a year away. Even with his current strength, he believed he could sweep the tournament. Still, if he was going to win using the sword art his father had taught him, he needed to test it in actual combat. A perfect opponent had appeared at just the right moment.
Fortunately, Namgung Hayeon showed no sign of hesitation. She simply indicated that she would be satisfied with a secret duel. Baekri Hyeong led her out through the deserted back alley behind the guest quarters and into the mountains. He did not realize his father was present in the residence, and even Namgung Hayeon, whose realm was far below Baekri Hyeok’s, remained unaware.
So that is the child who lost to Hyang. If the two of them came here together, it must be a secret training session.
Baekri Hyeok had already guessed their purpose. If they had deliberately chosen the empty rear mountain instead of an open clearing, there could be only one reason. He dismissed the notion that the two might be romantically involved. Had there been even a hint of such feelings, he would have drawn his sword without hesitation. The thought of his son harboring affection for a defeated rival would have been disappointing enough.
Yet contrary to Baekri Hyeok’s expectations, the two simply regulated their breathing and raised their swords toward each other. It was indeed a duel.
Of course it is not romance. No matter what other woman it might be, this one is unacceptable.
He refused to acknowledge it. A woman who had fled the Namgung Clan, consumed by inferiority, was not a suitable match for Baekri Hyeong. Still, if his son truly loved her, he supposed he would grant his blessing. Why such thoughts were surfacing now, he could not say.
Whooooosh!
The moment Baekri Hyeok’s idle musings were cut short, a sharp wind swept across the mountain range. Baekri Hyeong’s and Namgung Hayeon’s swords clashed.
“Huuup!”
“Kuh!”
They had exchanged only a single exchange, yet both were forced to expel the breath they had been holding. Namgung Hayeon was surprised by how much fiercer Baekri Hyeong was than she had expected. Baekri Hyeong, meanwhile, was frustrated by how awkward he still felt wielding the Baekcheon Divine Art. He would have to grow accustomed to it quickly.
“Haaaaah!”
Baekri Hyeong took a step back, lowered his stance, and charged. Namgung Hayeon had already assumed a defensive posture, ready to receive the attack. His decisive strike was stopped cold by the wall of her inner energy. The momentum shifted.
Thud!
“This is…!”
“You noticed, I see.”
When Namgung Hayeon stamped her foot, the surrounding gravity seemed to double. This was the Imperial Sword Form, the signature absolute technique passed down only through the bloodline of the Namgung Clan’s patriarchs.
“Since this is your first time experiencing it, I’ll start lightly.”
“There is no need. Come at me.”
“Hah!”
Namgung Hayeon snorted at Baekri Hyeong’s relaxed demeanor. The audacious child possessed more backbone than his appearance suggested. If he was going to act this way, she saw no reason to hold back any further.
Rumble…
With one more step forward, the gravity pressing down on Baekri Hyeong tripled. The entire space within the radius was already being crushed beneath the Imperial Sword Form’s power. Even the White Tiger Phantom Step could not secure the initiative here. Forced to receive the attack, Baekri Hyeong settled into a middle guard stance.
“Then here I come!”
Perhaps she was excited to use the Imperial Sword Form after so long. Namgung Hayeon smiled as she rushed forward. No matter how much he wished to receive her strike, the pressure of the Imperial Sword Form would make movement difficult. Especially while holding a middle guard. Apart from the heavy pressure of the Imperial Sword Form, the probability of him blocking her brilliantly varied and unpredictable sword was zero. She was certain she could claim victory in this duel.
That certainty shattered moments later.
“Try blocking this.”
“…!”
“This is my finishing move.”
BOOOOOOM!
Baekri Hyeong lightly raised his sword from the middle guard and brought it down with tremendous force. The vast inner energy of the Baekcheon Divine Art coiled around his blade and poured toward Namgung Hayeon. Startled by his sudden offensive, she redirected the Imperial Sword Form’s energy back into her body and scattered lightning with the final form of the Thirteen Thunderbolt Swords, deflecting his strike.
“Hah…! Hoo… What was that just now?”
“Let’s call it my trump card.”
Watching Baekri Hyeong speak so casually, Namgung Hayeon broke into a cold sweat. She had failed to block his attack. All she had managed was to divert its path slightly, and the sight of the ground carved open along that path sent a chill down her spine.
A monster even greater than Baekri Hyang. Perhaps there is not a single monster of his caliber left in the entire world.
Meanwhile, Baekri Hyeong smiled inwardly at having successfully landed the technique.
It works. It still needs some refinement, but it can be used in real combat.
It was the sword art created by Patriarch Baekri Hyeok while confined within the clan, forged from every realization the Sword Sovereign had attained—the Hundred Heavens Three Stances. The technique Baekri Hyeong had just used was the first stance: Severing Collapse. A simple downward strike that used immense pressure to cleave the opponent apart. It was fortunate he could not yet manifest sword aura; once he could, its power was said to be capable of splitting mountains. Of course, sword aura was an ability only masters who had reached the pinnacle of Hwagyeong could wield. Without the status of a great sect’s leader, such might could not be displayed. Yet even at the level of the rising generation, it would evoke a vision of hell.
Seeing the shock on Namgung Hayeon’s face only confirmed his thoughts.
“How about it? Shall we continue?”
“Of course… I’m not done yet!”
Tap-tap-tap!
Namgung Hayeon employed a swift movement technique, darting between the trees to disrupt Baekri Hyeong’s line of sight. Having already witnessed the power of the Hundred Heavens Three Stances, he felt no attachment to prolonging the fight. He was now certain that the first stance alone could finish any of the rising generation. Without hesitation, he deactivated the Baekcheon Divine Art and drew upon the Yellow Dragon Emperor Heaven Art instead.
Screeeeeech!
The Vermilion Bird’s terrible shriek rang out. In response to its cute protest at being ignored, Baekri Hyeong summoned the Vermilion Bird energy. The Vermilion Bird Killing Sword was a technique meant for slaying enemies, but it was also the sword of extreme speed—perfect for facing Namgung Hayeon’s swift movements. That said, unleashing its final form in a sudden burst would likely spark an all-out war with the Namgung Clan, so he decided against it. He would hold back appropriately while sparring with her.
“Haaah!”
This time, Namgung Hayeon seized the initiative. Having quietly disrupted his vision while moving, she appeared directly before him in an instant and thrust her lightning-wreathed sword toward his collarbone with the intent to pierce straight through. However, with the Vermilion Bird energy active, Baekri Hyeong could sense her killing intent clearly. With a simple movement, he evaded her attack, then swung the flat of his blade—trailing crimson light—into her abdomen.
“Kuhk!”
CRASH!
Before she could even react, Namgung Hayeon was slammed into a tree. Still reeling from the impact, she struggled to rise while using her sword as a crutch. Hwi-bong was clearly no genius on the level of the Sword Phoenix. Compared to the top disciples of the Wudang Sect, her martial prowess was not particularly outstanding either. Then again, the Wudang Sect produced Dragons and Phoenixes at every Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, so perhaps that was to be expected.
From the moment Baekri Hyeong had drawn the Vermilion Bird Killing Sword, Namgung Hayeon had stood no chance of victory.
“Will you continue?”
“It’s… not over yet!”
Even so, Namgung Hayeon forced herself upright, declaring she would keep fighting. Her fighting spirit was admirable. Still, the duel ended here.
Whoosh.
The red light faded from Baekri Hyeong’s eyes as he made his decision. In its place gathered an energy that was damp, heavy, and utterly uncontrollable—an aura of darkness. Namgung Hayeon could feel it. Baekri Hyeong was preparing something. She knew she should assume a defensive stance immediately, yet the sheer presence he exuded was so terrifying that she could only stare at him blankly.
With eyes dyed in darkness, Baekri Hyeong brought down his sword, now wreathed in black sword energy, upon her.
BOOOOOOM!
It was the Hyeonmu Paegeom, forged from the power of the Black Tortoise—the most fearsome of the Four Sacred Beasts.