Chapter: 512
Swish—
The hand reaches out.
The tip of the sword swings smoothly as if in response.
A space shrouded in darkness where visibility is poor. Within it, the old man’s sword blade is absorbing light.
To a martial artist, darkness isn’t much of a hindrance. The eyes activated by the wager could see through it all.
Whoosh—!
Ka-boom—!
A gust of wind rushes forth with a single swing of the sword. The wind gathers at the tips of the feet that support the ground.
The footwork became a storm.
Crrrackle.
Then the wind mixes with the raging energy. Only after the old man swings his sword four or five times like that…
Swish–swoosh!
The sound arrives late.
With each movement, faint afterimages linger in the air. It was visible because it exceeded the speed of sound.
Celestial Sword of Infinite Freedom.
A sword technique nurtured and honed over the long years in the Namgung clan.
The intricacy, woven with bets and martial energy, unfolds rapidly from the old man’s hands.
As he enters old age, wrinkles grace his skin, and he’s lost the youthful vigor he once had; yet, his mastery remains exceptional enough to wield martial arts without any shortcomings.
No, it would be more accurate to say he has matured over the lengthy years.
Power may have waned, but the technique of utilizing it has only improved.
The old man was confident in his craft. He remarked that it had sharpened considerably since those days.
Thud.
The tips of his feet brushed against the floor.
Leaning forward, he launches. He channels energy into the soles of his feet, boosting his speed. Using this recoil, he draws energy up through his right arm.
Blue Dragon Step, an extraordinarily refined footwork technique, specifically researched for better utilization of speed and martial energy.
The old man’s steps, perfected in this method, move faster than anyone else’s.
The remaining afterimages were so vivid it seemed as if there were many of him.
That indicated he was faster than expected.
One.
‘It’s just out of reach…’
Even as he gradually increased his speed, the wrinkles on the old man’s forehead remained stubbornly unmoving.
It’s out of reach.
Not only the black sword swirling with his energy, but even his body launching forward or the footwork that surpassed sound…
In the end, nothing was able to pierce through the defined line.
‘Heh.’
Could it be a spatial issue?
Since he couldn’t just demolish this place recklessly, he was holding back his strength.
Is that the problem?
‘Indeed…’
The old man shook his head internally.
He drew his sword in embarrassment, yet clarity still lingered in his mind rather than slipping into oblivion.
It was simply too far to reach.
His sword and body couldn’t touch that man.
This realization had multiple meanings for the old man.
The old man’s blue eyes fixed onto the stranger.
A gap of pitch-black darkness devoid of any light. Yet even within it, he spotted a pair of crimson eyes glowing with an unusual brightness.
There was an unwavering focus in that gaze.
Even if it was a brief engagement, how could it remain so tranquil?
Seeing this, the old man had to adjust his thoughts.
‘Are you hiding your strength?’
Tiger Warrior Gu Cheol-woon.
A dozen years ago, he was a chief officer of Shinryongdae, directly under the leader of the martial arts world.
Before that, he was a genius referred to as the highest reviewer and granted the moniker of Shenlong.
Now, he was the head of the Gu family, his presence significantly diminished.
The Heavenly Lord had a vague notion of who Gu Cheol-woon was.
Although not well-known in the world…
Gu Cheol-woon is the individual who confronted and subdued the entirety of Sima Wu’s forces.
Moreover, there were claims that he endured a joint assault and still emerged victorious.
It was nothing short of astonishing.
While it wasn’t impossible for the Heavenly Lord to perform such feats, considering Gu Cheol-woon’s age at that time was ridiculous.
He must’ve just crossed into adulthood during that period.
Of course, since then, his presence gradually faded, and even the Heavenly Lord had temporarily forgotten that fact.
Could that be why?
The Heavenly Lord struggled to comprehend the current scenario.
No matter how robust the Tiger Warrior was back then…
‘This situation is simply nonsensical.’
Swish—!
The sword sliced through the air once more.
Once again, it failed to cleave anything.
His gaze shifted.
It was to locate Gu Cheol-woon.
But that hardly seemed necessary. Gu Cheol-woon had never left the Heavenly Lord’s line of sight.
It felt like this.
‘If you want to catch me, then try. Is that what you’re saying?’
That implication seemed apparent.
‘Heh.’
The Heavenly Lord chuckled.
To himself, of all people? How incredibly vain was that.
Yet, even with this thought, he couldn’t help but acknowledge it.
Even in a brief exchange, it was evident.
Gu Cheol-woon was someone who could afford such arrogance.
Rather, it was surprising.
The realization that he lived concealed with such presence was astonishing.
‘Anything more than this would be excessive.’
The strength in the Heavenly Lord’s hand tightened. He had no intention of killing Gu Cheol-woon.
He only wished to convey a message.
Dare not to overlook the Namgung clan.
He stood as the representative of the Namgung family. This was non-negotiable.
If the opponent insulted the Namgung family, appropriate punishment had to be meted out.
Thus, the Heavenly Lord must not waver.
Namgung was him, and he was Namgung.
Boom—! The Heavenly Lord instantly concentrated energy into his dantian.
If it cannot be reached, then the priority is altering the situation to ensure it can be.
Whooosh—!
A heavy energy surged through the meridians into the body. The Heavenly Lord’s azure eyes shimmered.
Just then.
Ka-boom—!
An immense pressure erupted from the Heavenly Lord’s body.
A massive energy sufficient to crush space itself.
It was the hidden technique of the Namgung clan known as the Imperial Sword Form.
Kaboom…
The pressure erupted, rocking the walls of the space.
Despite employing utmost restraint, not even that could withstand it.
Controlling the erupting energy akin to a roar, the Heavenly Lord adjusted his grip on the sword.
Gu Cheol-woon faced the full force of the Imperial Sword Form head-on.
In an instant, his body must have been constrained.
Just when the sword brimming with the Heavenly Lord’s energy was about to unleash a blinding flash toward Gu Cheol-woon…
Gulp—!
“…!”
The Heavenly Lord abruptly halted all movements, twisting away.
A sudden chilling sensation ran across him.
When the Heavenly Lord retracted all actions and twisted to release his energy, something dug into the spot where his chest used to be.
Swoosh—!
It was Gu Cheol-woon’s arm.
Next came.
Fwoosh—!
A small ember shot forth from Gu Cheol-woon’s hand.
Ka-boom—!
An overwhelming explosion of flames erupted.
The fire was scorching enough to melt down the walls.
‘What…?’
The Heavenly Lord’s eyes widened in shock.
How?
Clearly, he should have absorbed his Imperial Sword Form directly; yet, he launched an immediate response?
The Heavenly Lord’s complexion turned ghostly pale. It was utterly unexpected.
What about the speed?
Had he not twisted his body so earnestly, he would’ve been hit straight on.
Crackle.
The noise of sparks flying past resonated sharply.
Without delay, the Heavenly Lord twisted his sword, shifting to a defensive stance.
Crrrack—!
“…Gah…!?”
A sound like bones cracking could be heard from his shoulder.
Where did the flames go? Gu Cheol-woon launched an attack onto the Heavenly Lord’s shoulder.
It couldn’t be blocked.
At that moment, the Heavenly Lord realized.
The explosion he just witnessed was a ruse.
Yet, it was far too late.
His shoulder shattered as his posture crumbled to pieces.
To regain balance required time; for others, it might be a fleeting moment.
Yet in a duel of martial artists, it was a pivotal point between life and death.
At that instant, the Heavenly Lord had to grasp his impending defeat.
But.
“…?”
After that, nothing occurred.
Gu Cheol-woon did not make a move while the Heavenly Lord struggled to regain his composure.
That wasn’t all.
As the Heavenly Lord looked confused and hesitated to attack, Gu Cheol-woon simply stood still, observing him.
Faced with this strange circumstance, the Heavenly Lord gazed at Gu Cheol-woon with bewilderment.
“Now.”
Gu Cheol-woon began to speak slowly.
“Are you finished with your messy carelessness?”
“…!”
“Then, let’s see you properly take up your sword again.”
Those softly spoken words pierced through the Heavenly Lord’s heart.
A tide of embarrassment surged to the top of his head.
“Ha…ha… this is ridiculous.”
The self-respect he had merely clung to collapsed.
The Heavenly Lord came to realize that he had been in the wrong.
“I’ve shown a shameful side…. I apologize, Lord Gu.”
The difference in conduct.
He had underestimated Gu Cheol-woon far too much.
Even recognizing Gu Cheol-woon was not someone to take lightly at first glance, the Heavenly Lord had made a mistake in confronting him.
Knowing this, Gu Cheol-woon imparted enlightenment upon the Heavenly Lord in a somewhat humiliating fashion.
Realizing this truth, the Heavenly Lord clenched his lips.
In fact, hadn’t he sensed it the moment he spotted Gu Cheol-woon?
Just observing the forceful energy and the colossal presence was a clear indication that Gu Cheol-woon was more than his equal.
Yet, his foolish pride barred him from acknowledging it.
It had to be released.
Wooooo-!
The atmosphere around the Heavenly Lord shifts dramatically.
The wind began to howl.
The martial energy infiltrates his entire being, creating ripples, while his aging body fills with renewed strength. He released all the power he had been stifling, feeling as though the very space might shatter.
Crack-crack-crack-!
A fissure sprouts in midair.
Light seeps through the crack.
Heart Sword.
The form of the Heavenly Lord’s unleashed Heart Sword illuminated the surroundings.
The energy burst free, leaving his heart ablaze with fervor.
His dantian quivered and resonated, and in an attempt to endure it, energy erupted like wildfires.
Noticing this, the Heavenly Lord couldn’t help but swallow his anguish.
When he first began using the Heart Sword, it hadn’t felt this taxing.
Yet for some reason, employing the Heart Sword now felt exceedingly arduous.
‘Is it the haunting shadow?’
Since the Heart Sword harnesses the power of the mind, being ensnared by such spirits can make the practice exceedingly difficult.
Remembering this truth, he bit down hard.
Yet despite everything, it didn’t matter.
Now was not the time for considerations.
The radiant blade fixates on Gu Cheol-woon, aiming its edge.
The sword gripped in his hand radiated increasing strength.
The martial energy pierced the heat surrounding Gu Cheol-woon, commanding the area.
He took a step forward.
Fwoosh-!
The Imperial Sword Form manifested anew.
It expanded in size, intertwining with the raging energy.
The entirety of the Heavenly Lord’s might surged forth, amplifying his presence.
Sufficient enough to engulf the heat and powerful aura that Gu Cheol-woon radiated.
Two steps forward. Thud! The energy popped.
The appearance of the Heavenly Lord vanished from Gu Cheol-woon’s sight.
One Sword.
The sword, encapsulating the Heavenly Lord’s enlightenment, drew a diagonal line toward Gu Cheol-woon. Simultaneously, the Heart Sword shone brightly.
A confined space, no means of escape.
The rushing winds blended with martial energy, morphing into a storm.
Just before the Heavenly Lord’s thunder penetrated Gu Cheol-woon’s neck, about to explode forth…
Gu Cheol-woon’s eyes shifted.
The red irises were clearly locked onto the Heavenly Lord’s gaze.
And then.
Thump—!
“Hey…!”
Suddenly, accompanied by a dull thud, the Heavenly Lord’s sword ricocheted off. He couldn’t comprehend the startling recoil; he blurted out without realizing it.
What on earth is happening? The Heavenly Lord swallowed hard, trying to piece everything together.
Gu Cheol-woon had smacked the blade with his fist, knocking it away.
Moreover.
Crack-crack—!
Then the shockwave dispersed, unleashing the energy encircling the sword.
The force, honed over several years, shattered with just one light punch.
As the shards of his energy scattered into the air, the Heavenly Lord’s heart chilled.
That would have been sufficient to cope with.
Yet Gu Cheol-woon swung his unused left arm to the opposite side.
Chop!
A colossal fist from Gu Cheol-woon grazed the air, resonating with a tremendous sound.
Heart Sword.
The quintessential power of the Heavenly Lord’s heart and sword shattered in twain with a single punch.
Ka-boom—!!
As his might crumbled, the amassed pressure released into the atmosphere.
Boom—!
The energy, now devoid of its owner, crashed violently against the walls, obliterating everything in its path.
The structure trembled, fracturing here and there, on the brink of collapse.
The Heavenly Lord stood aghast at the sudden development.
How could he feel so utterly helpless?
Watching his martial energy dissipate, despair seeped into the Heavenly Lord’s body.
Thud.
“Grrr….”
As the martial power forcibly went dormant, ripples spread outwards.
The Heart Sword split into fragments, touching the vessel’s essence.
Drip, drip.
Blood trickled from the Heavenly Lord’s lips as he knelt.
“Ugh…ugh….”
Pain crashed over him akin to fracturing pottery, yet the Heavenly Lord raised his head.
Before him stood Gu Cheol-woon, unchanged from before.
With his arms crossed behind him, he gazed down with his crimson eyes wide open.
He appeared pristine, as if no battle had ever occurred.
Seeing this, the Heavenly Lord erupted into laughter.
“…I see… I’ve been completely oblivious for far too long.”
He had not only shattered the sword with his bare hands but had also crushed the Heart Sword.
A trivial action, really.
Gu Cheol-woon had not used anything that could be classified as martial arts.
Even as a practitioner of flame arts, he had done nothing.
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, the Heavenly Lord posed a question.
“…How do you manage to conceal yourself with such power?”
Now, curiosity took precedence over amazement. How could one not be curious?
Upon hearing the Heavenly Lord, Gu Cheol-woon slightly furrowed his brows. Seeing this expression, the Heavenly Lord continued.
“Surely, there is no one in this world who can defeat you….”
No one could challenge him in this vast world.
The Heavenly Lord finally acknowledged it.
Gu Cheol-woon was, without a doubt, the current reigning supreme.
It was unavoidable.
To fail to acknowledge this power after witnessing it would be contrary to his pride as a martial artist.
It was merely a question of curiosity for the Heavenly Lord.
“Does your master… know about this?”
Above refers to the venerable man known as the sword deity, past leader of the martial arts world.
Does that esteemed sword deity know of Gu Cheol-woon’s capabilities?
In response, Gu Cheol-woon affirmed.
“He knows.”
The answer was clear cut.
Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Lord delved into further contemplation.
“…Then why….”
Why shroud oneself in secrecy?
The Heavenly Lord also understood that the Gu clan walked a path rife with burdens.
Was that the reason for living in the shadows?
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Gu Cheol-woon replied.
“It’s because it’s not important.”
His tone was dispassionate.
“What you prioritize means nothing to me.”
The title of the greatest in the world.
The honor and recognition that accompany strength and prowess.
The pride and presence of the martial elite.
None of those held significance for Gu Cheol-woon.
He couldn’t comprehend it.
To the Heavenly Lord, such sentiments were unfathomable.
“If so…. What is important? Lord Gu, what are your aspirations?”
“…”
Just what holds importance?
In the Heavenly Lord’s inquiry, Gu Cheol-woon recalled.
Perhaps, he would have lost sight of it for some time.
During that fateful winter day when he lost everything.
Gu Cheol-woon had relinquished even the dreams he had cherished.
He had disregarded it all for quite a while, but now, even if belatedly, there was something he wished to seek.
To achieve that, he could no longer afford to hesitate.
Without divulging his thoughts, Gu Cheol-woon stepped closer to the Heavenly Lord. He had no desire to continue with this unproductive dialogue.
Energy began to converge in his palm.
ZZZrrtt…
The Heavenly Lord could see.
The hue of Gu Cheol-woon’s hands was turning a fiery red.
What is that?
It lacked the heat to be labeled as flame arts.
Not only that, he felt fearfully empty.
Ah.
The Heavenly Lord swiftly understood.
That hand was his death’s signal; staring at Gu Cheol-woon’s fingers led him to such a conclusion.
He couldn’t even fathom what form of power it bore.
It was terrifying precisely because of his ignorance.
As the specter of death loomed over him, the Heavenly Lord, resigned, spoke with a weary voice.
“You may take my life…”
“…”
“But please, spare the Namgung clan….”
Once again, no response materialized.
There were no alternatives left to pursue.
Faintly, the Heavenly Lord shut his eyes, accepting his fate.
As Gu Cheol-woon extended his hand toward the Heavenly Lord…
Just before the crimson-tinged palm made contact.
“…Father?”
A voice called out nearby.
Upon hearing that, Gu Cheol-woon’s body froze in place.
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