CLS-Chapter 270

Chapter 270

“Ten Thousand Swords?”

“Did you just hear the words Ten Thousand Swords?”

The atmosphere at the head table began to grow turbulent.

Cheong Yeong-ja, in particular, looked greatly shocked.

‘Could it be that Hundred Sword Castle’s predecessor is the Ten Thousand Swords Hundred Family?’

While the names might seem similar when you hear them, the Ten Thousand Swords Hundred Family was a family that had already disappeared from the world three hundred years ago.

Their traces remained so deeply embedded that their name was still passed down, but who could have imagined that descendants of a family that had perished three hundred years ago would still remain?

And not just barely maintaining their lineage, but forming one of the pillars of the martial world.

“Ten Thousand Swords…”

A groan escaped from Cheong Yeong-ja’s lips.

If it were true, this was no ordinary matter. The Ten Thousand Swords Hundred Family was a place whose name alone could shake the martial world. There was once a time when all sword families under heaven bowed their heads before them.

No sword wielder dared discuss swords in their presence.

The legendary phantom sword that remained only in legends was now revealing itself before them once again.

“The Ten Thousand Swords Hundred Family…”

Baek Geom-yeong’s voice wasn’t very loud. Thanks to this, only those around the martial stage barely heard those words. However, groans began flowing from the lips of the old martial world veterans who understood the meaning.

As a single force, the largest sect was undoubtedly the Demonic Cult. However, as a single force that wielded the greatest influence in the martial world, it was the Ten Thousand Swords Hundred Family.

Even the world’s Shaolin, though acknowledged for steadily supporting the martial world over a long period, did not dominate the martial world as much as the Ten Thousand Swords Hundred Family did during their heyday.

Baek Geom-yeong was now saying that he was a descendant of that Ten Thousand Swords Hundred Family, and that Hundred Sword Castle was another name for the Ten Thousand Swords Hundred Family.

“Is it true?”

“I haven’t heard anything about it, how would I know?”

“Be quiet.”

Cheong Yeong-ja spoke as if spitting out the words.

“Whether it’s true or not, his sword will prove it.”

Cheong Yeong-ja quietly gazed at the martial stage. If it were true, perhaps another storm would blow through the martial world once again.

“Ten Thousand Swords…”

Wei San-ho quietly raised his sword.

There was no way he hadn’t heard of the Ten Thousand Swords Hundred Family, which once ruled the martial world. Naturally, Wei San-ho also knew of the Ten Thousand Swords Hundred Family.

But what did that matter?

His strength wasn’t proven by his family background. No matter what prestige and backing one had, one’s power could only be proven by oneself.

Whether his opponent was from the Ten Thousand Swords Hundred Family, Hundred Sword Castle, or was a wandering warrior, none of that mattered to Wei San-ho. The only important thing was the fact that there was someone before him whom he had to face.

Wei San-ho’s sword slowly but clearly drew the opening stance.

The opening stance of the Flying Dragon Ascending Sword, the exclusive martial art of the Guangdong Wei Family, was gracefully unfolded by his hands.

“Hmm.”

Baek Geom-yeong’s face hardened as he witnessed that scene.

Wei San-ho’s sword was not something to be dismissed. Though not flashy, there was something that captured one’s attention. Should it be called clarity?

‘It is quite remarkable.’

He had thought that only Wei Yan-ho could be his match. Though he currently couldn’t match his brothers, that was only due to lack of experience. Given more experience and time, he could certainly surpass his elder brothers.

However, Wei Yan-ho’s existence had given him a great shock, and Wei San-ho’s existence was giving him a sense of crisis.

Then it would be right to crush him thoroughly.

Baek Geom-yeong’s sword began to move slowly.

The beginning was slow and graceful.

The sword that had been lowered slowly rose toward the sky, then began moving faster and faster. White afterimages began to form behind the sword that drew gentle arcs.

Soon, his entire surroundings were covered with pristine white sword afterimages.

“Oh!”

“Good heavens!”

Those watching Baek Geom-yeong’s sword all began exclaiming in admiration.

Baek Geom-yeong’s sword was far exceeding their expectations.

What was even more surprising wasn’t Baek Geom-yeong’s level, but the sword technique he was displaying.

‘What in the world is that?’

They couldn’t even guess.

Generally, swordsmanship has its systems and types.

Swords are already somewhat classified and systematized into types like Swift Sword, Heavy Sword, Variable Sword, Dominating Sword, Phantom Sword, and Soft Sword.

Mount Hua belonged to the Swift Sword and Phantom Sword types. And Wudang was a place that valued Soft Sword and Variable Sword.

However, Baek Geom-yeong’s sword couldn’t be classified as any of those. If one had to say, everything was contained within it. It was fast yet heavy, variable yet strong and soft.

It seemed as if all types of swords in the world were contained within it.

All the swords in the world.

“…Ten Thousand Swords.”

A groan flowed from Wei Jeong-han’s lips.

He could tell the moment he saw it. No further proof was needed. Just seeing Baek Geom-yeong’s sword was enough to be convinced.

That was Ten Thousand Swords.

The Ten Thousand Swords of the Ten Thousand Swords Hundred Family, which had disappeared into legend, was now revealing itself before their eyes.

Wei Jeong-han’s body trembled.

Trembling.

It was trembling. Just by looking, he could tell how dangerous and how sublime that sword was.

Wei Jeong-han’s eyes followed Wei San-ho.

A mountain built with swords.

Amidst the sword shadows covering the martial stage, Wei San-ho stood precariously in the center of the torrent of sword waves rushing toward him like a raging tide.

‘San-ho!’

A scream that couldn’t escape his throat exploded within Wei Jeong-han’s chest.

However, Wei San-ho didn’t waver in the slightest.

“It begins with one.”

Wei San-ho muttered quietly.

He wouldn’t be deceived by what met the eye. What he had to pursue was the single reality within these countless sword shadows. Wei San-ho’s eyes glowed blue.

Like a single cavalry general charging into a million-strong army, Wei San-ho raised his sword and threw his body into the wave of swords rushing toward him.

“No!”

“How, how could…!”

Screams erupted.

Those watching could fully sense how dangerous that act was.

“Haaat!”

“Chaaaaat!”

Baek Geom-yeong and Wei San-ho’s battle cries simultaneously thundered across the martial stage.

Crash crash crash crash crash crash!

With sounds like a waterfall falling, swords poured down toward the martial stage.

Even Wei Yan-ho shot up from his seat to watch the scene. Wei Yan-ho’s face was hardened stiffly, unlike his usual self. Wei Yan-ho’s fists clenched tightly.

His fists, trembling with bloodshot veins, conversely showed how dangerous the current situation was.

“Wh-what happened?”

“Who won?”

Thick dust clouds rose, making it difficult to discern the situation. Cheong Yeong-ja focused his inner sight.

When a cold wind blew and swept away the dust clouds, the completely shattered martial stage—unrecognizable from its original form—and the figures of two men standing on it were revealed.

Everyone examined the two with tense eyes. It was so quiet that someone’s gulp could be heard clearly from somewhere.

“Do you understand now?”

When Baek Geom-yeong spoke gently, Wei San-ho shook his head.

“Even if I lost, it’s because I was lacking. It’s not that my family’s sword is weak.”

“I respect that attitude at least.”

Who had won?

It was difficult to know that fact from the conversation alone.

“Tsk.”

The sound of Wei Yan-ho clicking his tongue awakened Cheong Yeong-ja’s consciousness. Wei Yan-ho’s voice carried undisguisable irritation.

‘Then?’

At that moment.

Thud.

Wei San-ho knelt on one knee to the ground. Simultaneously, his black robes began to soak through. Long gaping wounds revealed themselves through the torn fabric where flesh was exposed.

“I lost.”

“It was a good match.”

When Wei San-ho bowed his head, Baek Geom-yeong cupped his hands in salute.

The result of the match was clear.

When Baek Geom-yeong looked back as if asking what he was waiting for, Cheong Yeong-ja raised his hand.

“Victory to Baek Geom-yeong of Hundred Sword Castle!”

As those words fell, cheers erupted from all directions.

“Waaaaaaah!”

“Baek Geom-yeong is the champion!”

People went wild and screamed.

Some cheered for Baek Geom-yeong, others cheered for Hundred Sword Castle.

“Hahaha! I’m glad I didn’t go home!”

“Those who left early will be beating the ground!”

It was the law of the martial world that winners take honor and cheers, while losers return having lost everything.

Wei San-ho bowed his head and limped down from the martial stage. Seeing Wei Jeong-han waiting for him below the martial stage, Wei San-ho deeply bowed his head.

“Fath—”

“Never again.”

Wei Jeong-han’s voice was utterly cold.

Toward Wei San-ho, who raised his head with questioning eyes, Wei Jeong-han spoke decisively.

“Do not bow your head before me.”

“…Father.”

Wei Jeong-han smiled gently and spoke.

“Did you do your best?”

“Yes. I have no regrets.”

“Then that’s enough.”

Wei Jeong-han patted Wei San-ho’s shoulder.

“If you did your best, that’s all that matters. Defeat and failure are what make people strong. I believe you will become a greater person using this experience as a foundation.”

“Father.”

“You rascal.”

Wei Jeong-han embraced Wei San-ho.

“Are your wounds not deep?”

“I’m fine.”

“Still, just in case, let’s get you treated.”

“I’m really fine.”

“Don’t be stubborn. Let’s go.”

Being dragged away by Wei Jeong-han, Wei San-ho let out a low sigh.

The defeat was bitter. However, seeing Wei Jeong-han’s genuine concern for him, it didn’t hurt.

He turned his head to look at Baek Geom-yeong.

‘Next time, definitely.’

The gap was larger than expected. But he could certainly catch up. If he devoted himself continuously and devoted himself again.

Wei San-ho, who had been quietly watching Baek Geom-yeong waving to the crowd, soon turned his head away.

“Grrrr.”

Unlike other places that were cheering, the head table had a funeral atmosphere.

‘Why is he acting like that?’

‘Looks angry?’

‘He bet money on his own brother losing and now he’s angry? If anyone should be angry, it should be us who lost money.’

Wei Yan-ho ground his teeth crunch crunch then sighed heavily.

‘Ah, so irritating.’

He knew he couldn’t win.

The difference between Wei San-ho and Baek Geom-yeong was very large. It wasn’t a level that could be overcome by luck.

Though it was a defeat he already knew would happen, strangely he felt irritated. He felt like jumping down right now and driving his knee into that pretty face, but Wei Yan-ho desperately summoned what little patience he had to restrain himself.

Jumping down and beating up Baek Geom-yeong wouldn’t be difficult, but that was impossible. While an older brother avenging his younger brother could become a touching story, if a younger brother avenged his older brother, it would only make the older brother’s incompetence stand out more.

For Wei San-ho’s honor too, he had to endure for now.

“Grrrrrrr!”

Wei Yan-ho, who had been making pained sounds, spun his body around and began shoving snacks into his mouth frantically. Then those who had been watching Wei Yan-ho’s mood all sighed in unison.

‘At this rate, I won’t die a natural death.’

Cheong Yeong-ja looked up at the sky with tearful eyes.

However, he knew nothing at this moment.

The fact that those who would truly threaten him were now climbing Mount Hua.