Chapter: 499
Kuuung-!
A tremendous explosion erupts into the air.
Shhhhhh!
I hear a sound. My head had already turned.
My body reacted before the sound even reached it.
Shhh! Crunch!
I must have turned quickly, but a sharp anticipation grazed my hair.
A few strands of black hair flutter in the air.
Seeing that made me raise my pressure even more.
Wow!
A surge of energy starts from my heart.
It begins to expand into every corner of my muscles through the blood vessels.
Accordingly, my sense of excitement increases.
As my field of vision widens, the movements become much clearer than before.
Something approaches from the front.
It’s a blade of energy.
I release heat from my back.
My heart pounds once, then heat bursts from my back.
Paaang!
A short, intense burst of fire explodes from my back.
I use that blast to increase my speed.
Guyangcheon’s body quickly launches into the air.
Narrowly dodging the sword qi, I arrive right in front of Goeseon in an instant.
“Her…!”
Seeing that, Goeseon lets out a gasp—it was much faster than expected.
He quickly straightens his sword.
Though he looks flustered on the outside, inside he remains completely unshaken.
The flexible sword extends at lightning speed.
It’s so fast that even though it’s just one sword, it feels like multiple swords are in play.
In that moment, Guyangcheon reaches out his hand.
In the midst of the swirling swords.
He twists his body as if searching for the eye of a storm.
His pupils move without rest, even in that instant.
He twists his body while grasping the path of the sword.
‘This guy…?’
Seeing that, Goeseon is left in shock.
How can he move like that, let alone avoid the swords that are pouring down right in front of him?
There’s no hesitation in each of his movements.
Even a slight brush with those swords could lead to a fatal wound, yet Guyangcheon approaches fearlessly.
It’s only natural for someone who has reached the state of Hwagyeong to possess this level of mental fortitude.
’I don’t understand.’
The kid in front is too young to have built such mental strength.
Should we even consider this a matter of talent?
If so, then it’s a crime from the heavens.
Are they planning to unleash such a monster upon this realm to plunge countless warriors into despair?
Goeseon finds himself simultaneously feeling an exhilarating joy and eerie fear.
He twists his body to alter the path of the sword.
He acknowledges his mistake in trying to test his limits.
Goeseon channels his energy into the tip of his sword.
Hwaaaaak-!
The master from Wudang—the scent of grass infused in their arts wafts sweetly into the air.
However, unlike the fragrance, the energy that’s seeped into the blade is terrible.
One sword.
As Goeseon extends his sword, it leaves a trace in the air, as if the air itself is being torn apart.
Guyangcheon had already put a couple of steps between them.
Boom!
With a slight rumble accompanying the awakening,
“Tsk…!”
Kwaaaaaaaaaaah-!
Dozens of sword energies shoot out in all directions.
Seeing this, Guyangcheon quickly rotates the ring of Flame Arts.
Hwarurururuk-! The flames that sprout from his waist cause the ring to expand swiftly.
Goeseon’s eyes widen as he witnesses it.
‘Blue Flame?’
It was a blue flame.
Unlike the deep red flames displayed by the old head of the family in the past.
For some reason, Guyangcheon’s flames are blue.
Additionally.
‘What is this?’
Upon seeing those flames, an inexplicable chill spreads down his arm.
It’s an instinctual pressure.
Kuung-!
As Guyangcheon stomps the ground hard.
Hwaaaaaaaah-!
The ring around his body rapidly grows in size and spews out flames.
Kyaaaaaaaaaaah-!
The flames shooting into the air change shape with every flicker.
They resemble beasts with their mouths wide open.
Dozens of fire beasts devour the sword qi.
Boom-! Boom bang-!
When their energies collide, they explode in the air like firecrackers.
‘This is madness.’
Seeing that, Goeseon can’t help but laugh.
The density of the energy is much stronger than his own.
Yet, the overwhelming presence of the flames silences and erases all.
How much energy must one possess in their danjeon to achieve something like that?
‘It’s not just talent. Is that what this means?’
There is ample foundation to harness such bizarre talent.
Is this what they want to showcase?
While Goeseon is momentarily distracted by the splendid sight,
Phew-!
Suddenly, an overwhelming heat pricks his senses right in front of him.
‘Oops…!’
He quickly turns his gaze.
Guyangcheon had already infiltrated Goeseon’s territory.
In his small palm, he clutches a single, sparkling bead.
Goeseon realizes it at first glance.
Just how much energy is compressed within that tiny bead.
It’s dangerous.
Kwuk-!
He simultaneously forces a significant amount of energy into his sword.
At the same time, it seems that Guyangcheon has no intention of waiting.
“Flaming Jade.”
He detonates the compressed energy right in front of Goeseon.
His vision is engulfed in blinding light. Soon after.
Kwuaaaaaaah!
A colossal explosion occurs, swallowing Goeseon whole.
The energy bursts forth into a wide area, creating immense wind pressure.
The sandstorm that swept through the ground was enough to momentarily blind everything.
Guyangcheon is frowning amidst the storm.
He looks around, seemingly displeased with something.
Then, having apparently found what he was looking for, he turns his upper body and extends his hand.
His clenched fist is engulfed in flames.
Paaaaang-!
Something explodes upon impacting the surface of his fist.
A sharp pain makes Guyangcheon grit his teeth.
What just brushed past him was definitely a sword qi.
‘As expected.’
Expected it would be, as Guyangcheon frowns.
Hwaaaaaak-!
The sandstorm that obstructed his vision suddenly shoots up towards the sky.
It’s the aftermath of some unseen force surging from below.
The wind is so strong that the thick cloud of dust that had been shielding the area rises and vanishes.
With his vision clear, Guyangcheon stares straight ahead.
There stands the one who caused this wind pressure, looking utterly intact.
“… This is… I’m speechless.”
Goeseon chuckles in a futile manner, scratching his head.
Despite being hit head-on, Goeseon’s body appears to be completely unscathed.
No, it’s hard to say clean, considering he was a mess to begin with.
‘That’s not it.’
It utterly failed to land any blows. That’s what matters.
Guyangcheon can’t help but express regret over that reality.
‘I should have gotten a little closer to detonate it.’
A moment’s choice.
Just one more step closer would’ve made all the difference.
That thought lingers disappointingly in his mind.
In the midst of Guyangcheon’s regret, Shin Noya speaks up with a sense of incredulity.
[If that were to happen, your heart would’ve been pierced.]
He knew that.
That was the very reason he didn’t get greedy back then.
[But is it really that regretful?]
‘I thought maybe I just had to open my heart a bit more.’
[That’s nonsense.]
‘Yeah, I suppose it is.’
So he had refrained.
Had it been just a little while ago, he might have acted differently.
‘… Now I need to hold back.’
Now that he’s come this far, he must change his fighting methods.
He isn’t scared.
Just…
‘Life has become a bit more precious, you see.’
There are so many things he now has to do with this life.
He figured he needed to handle things carefully until he completed his goals.
After all.
‘… I was also told to fix the ruins.’
Pajeon has repeatedly pointed out the limitations of that method.
Now, he’s trying to change that.
‘It’s not easy.’
Being aware of that while fighting proved challenging.
Especially since his opponent is stronger than him.
‘I never imagined there wouldn’t be any damage.’
No matter what, he figured he might at least land a blow.
Goeseon remained surprisingly intact.
When Guyangcheon found himself slightly surprised by Goeseon’s strength exceeding expectations,
Conversely, Goeseon felt the same impression towards Guyangcheon.
“… Is this the den of monsters?”
“What?”
“The previous head was like that, but you’re even worse.”
“Do you know my father?”
“I don’t really know him. I’ve just caught a glimpse.”
The image of the monster he had seen back then.
That child’s appearance overlapped with it, starkly.
The incredible power of the techniques he had just experienced.
After barely avoiding it, Goeseon felt the residual tension lingering in him, and he took a deep breath.
‘Now.’
Now, it feels like all the lingering emotions are washing away.
Though in his mind, he shouts to treat them as equals.
In his heart, he finds himself viewing Guyangcheon as his disciple’s close friend, and his perspective as a younger junior all fades away.
Goeseon silently releases that tension from his chest, feeling calm settle within.
Swish.
Goeseon’s stance slightly relaxes. Is he thinking of backing down? As Guyangcheon observes, he tilts his head curiously.
Swish…
“…!”
Chills cascade down Guyangcheon’s spine as his eyes sharpen.
He senses something from Goeseon.
Is this for real?
He feels a presence from Goeseon that is entirely different from earlier.
[That guy is a genuine troublemaker, too.]
Noya’s voice heats up.
While the old man is thrilled, Guyangcheon must feign a smile.
‘This is getting ridiculous.’
He seems serious about fighting properly now.
Just the glimpse of his sincerity is more than enough to gauge his intentions.
‘Strong.’
Goeseon is indeed stronger. I had underestimated him based on his eccentric personality and the shabby appearance that matched his nickname.
Now, his impressions swiftly shift.
The guy is no joke.
While unsure of how strong Goeseon truly is,
‘At least stronger than the current Sword King.’
He seems stronger than the present lord of the Namgung clan.
‘Where was someone like that during the Cheonma War?’
Did he die or something?
I only know that the Demonic Sword Master was inflicted with a brain tumor.
I have no clue what was going on with the ghost who relinquished the sword.
Woof.
The energy floating through the air dissipates.
Guyangcheon isn’t oblivious to the omen it signifies.
Gazing at Goeseon, who is gripping his sword, Guyangcheon thinks to himself.
‘This won’t do.’
[Aesong-ah?]
‘I’ll resort to ‘that.’
Guyangcheon’s words seem to take Noya by surprise.
[… Are you sure?]
‘I can’t say for sure… but if I don’t use it, it’ll become a huge problem.’
[…]
Noya doesn’t respond, perhaps in agreement or disbelief.
After taking that as a positive note,
Guyangcheon cautiously shifts his hands.
At that moment, Goeseon addresses Guyangcheon.
“If you know what’s about to happen, then pay attention. This is where the real battle begins.”
Guyangcheon chuckles at Goeseon’s comment.
“How gracious of you.”
“It’s merely my modest guilt. I’m embarrassed to go this far against my juniors.”
Goeseon, openly displaying his displeasure, steps forward with a light swing of his sword.
And then, in an instant.
Pop.
“…!”
Goeseon vanishes from Guyangcheon’s sight.
As soon as he realizes this, Guyangcheon’s heart races. Energy is about to explode.
He focuses, using his heart as the foundation for his energy.
In a split second, he releases all that energy into his qi gam, spreading it out in all directions.
Just once.
He only needs to catch it once.
With that thought, Guyangcheon pours everything into it.
Meanwhile, Goeseon.
‘Sorry.’
He had already penetrated Guyangcheon’s left side.
A speed that exceeds Guyangcheon’s comprehension.
Goeseon intends to knock him unconscious immediately with a single strike.
There’s no need to escalate matters further.
If he does, it’ll become too serious and irreversible.
He’s already in a heightened state; he seriously needs to wrap it up here.
Thud.
Goeseon’s feet touch the ground.
Even then, Guyangcheon remains blissfully unaware of Goeseon’s presence—the speed isn’t something he can detect or respond to.
He twists the sword, exposing his back.
As he can’t ring the alarm, he shifts strategies.
This might impact his speed, but he figures that’s manageable.
Just as he thinks that, Goeseon prepares to swing his sword.
In that moment, Guyangcheon’s eyes zero in on Goeseon.
‘What?’
Did he notice?
Breaking through this speed?
Goeseon gasps in disbelief at the ridiculous situation.
‘You keep on surprising me until the very end.’
He’s managed to showcase improbable possibilities all the way to this moment.
Yet, this attack is still unavoidable.
With all the horror he’s encountered, Goeseon swings the sword with everything he’s got.
Whoooosh!
The sword lunges toward Guyangcheon at incredible speed.
It’s far too late to react.
This is what Goeseon thinks.
Clang-!
“…?”
A bright, clear sound rings out.
What on earth is this?
As confusion settles in, Goeseon turns his gaze to the unexpected sound.
“Huh…?”
The sound emanates from none other than Guyangcheon.
The reason? Guyangcheon’s arm had intercepted Goeseon’s sword.
“What the….”
It’s surprising enough just to have detected Goeseon.
But to block it? That’s something else entirely.
And why does that sound echo like that?
Such a sweet sound certainly isn’t born merely from sword against arm.
It’s as if… iron striking iron produces a much deeper resonance.
Just as Goeseon contemplates this with a perplexed expression,
An unexpected turn unfolds again.
Swish!
“… What!?”
The bandage on Guyangcheon’s left arm, which had blocked the sword, loosens slightly.
As he swiftly entangles Goeseon’s sword with it.
Stunned, Goeseon attempts to retract his sword swiftly.
Kuk-!
The bandage holds tight, refusing to cut through the sword.
At that moment.
“Gotcha.”
Guyangcheon’s laughter rings out, thick with triumph.
Immediately after, a blue orb, identical to the one before, approaches Goeseon’s chest.
“This is insane….”
With a brief remark, Goeseon’s voice trails off before—
Kwaaaaaaaaaaah!
Flame Jade explodes.
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