Chapter 189

Chapter 189 

“……What on earth.”

Training ground.

I turned my gaze at the despairing voice of a Namgung Family warrior who had been quietly watching the situation. Seohwa, standing above with her gauntlets extended, quietly looking at the collapsed Namgung Yeon.

“C-call a physician! The young lady’s condition is……!”

“She’s fine. She just fainted from surprise. She’ll probably wake up soon.”

Watching Seohwa speak firmly, I smiled bitterly. The situation was becoming increasingly clear.

Namgung Yeon was defeated without being able to do anything. And to Seohwa, who had only learned martial arts for two years at that.

To them, this situation must seem like something supernatural. Actually, it’s not wrong to say so. Even among Uicheonmun disciples, Seohwa’s win rate is only about twenty percent. That means she can contend with about twenty percent of the other children.

‘It’s absurd for growth in just two years.’

In all of history, no one—not even I—became that strong in just two years of learning martial arts. With those “eyes,” that constitution, and a good environment—everything came together to complete the current Seohwa, so it’s not strange that her realm feels uncanny.

“That can’t be…….”

“How could she achieve such accomplishment in just two years? Strange, so strange.”

The Sword Sovereign, who glanced around at the murmuring crowd, showed Seohwa a look of approval and shook her head. The following declaration.

“Victor. Uicheonmun’s Seohwa.”

At the Sword Sovereign’s declaration, Seohwa, who closed and opened her eyes briefly, bowed to the Sword Sovereign and descended from the duel stage. Then Seohwa immediately looked at me.

“I won and came back. Sect Lord.”

“Well done. It wasn’t as difficult as you thought, was it?”

“Yes. Not as much as I thought…….”

“That’s the level you’re at. You probably didn’t know because you usually duel with the other children.”

Seohwa’s current level is such that she wouldn’t be pushed back even if she faced most rising stars. In the current situation, if she entered Muryeon Hall or Mujeong Hall, she could even contend for top rank in the fourth year. She’d probably have the top rank of her own year practically guaranteed.

“Well done. Go in and rest.”

“Yes.”

Seohwa, who had been quietly looking at Seolbaek while clenching and opening her fist, found her seat behind me and let out a sigh of relief. And watching that, Namgung Hyeon slowly climbed onto the duel stage.

“The first duel ended well, but that guy probably won’t be easy.”

At my words, the disciples’ attention turned toward me.

“Namgung Yeon being swept up by Seohwa was actually more due to lack of experience than lack of martial arts. She probably had never dealt with an opponent who read all her techniques.”

“Yes.”

“But Namgung Hyeon is different. He graduated from Mujeong Hall and has been in the Martial Force Corps for a year, so he’s accumulated plenty of experience.”

That guy is the true beginning of Namgung’s sword. The Sky’s Sword that must never be underestimated.

“Can you do it?”

“I’ll try.”

Watching Wangpal quietly rise from his seat at my words, I nodded.

“Don’t feel too burdened. I’m behind you too.”

There’s no need to be obsessed with victory or defeat. So show everything you have and come back.

At my appearance saying such things, Wangpal quietly nodded and stood up from his seat. Wangpal immediately turning around.

“I’ll go.”

“Come back.”

Seonwoo Gang, who had been maintaining silence while watching Wangpal slowly climb onto the duel stage, looked at Wangpal with worried eyes. Then Seonwoo Gang spoke.

“I wonder if sahyeong  will be alright.”

“Are you worried about Wangpal?”

“To be honest, yes. That guy Hyeon isn’t ordinarily strong.”

“That’s true.”

The martial arts of prestigious families don’t show their distinction in the early stages. The true value of prestigious family martial arts reveals itself from the point when one understands the true meaning of the martial arts and can move accordingly.

The reason Baek Risan became exceptionally strong is the same. From the start, she’s been developing her martial arts based on the excellent True Flame White Fire Art, so she can’t help but become strong. It’s like creating an advanced form from another advanced form instead of basic techniques like the other children. And that applies to Namgung Hyeon as well.

“Namgung Hyeon is strong. Perhaps Wangpal might not be able to defeat him.”

“But not being able to defeat Namgung Hyeon doesn’t mean Wangpal will lose.”

Sometimes, just not being broken can prove oneself.

“Watch carefully.”

“What kind of sword your sahyeong‘s sword is.”

I smiled faintly while watching Namgung Hyeon and Wangpal exchange greetings on the duel stage.

‘He’s certainly not ordinary.’

Deep wariness filled Namgung Hyeon’s eyes.

The sensation of the sword hilt gripped in my hand is cold.

‘I must win.’

Namgung Hyeon, who gripped his beloved sword firmly while steeling his resolve, looked at the person who climbed up before him. Innocent eyes that didn’t match his mountain-like build. A firm gaze showing determination.

‘If I lose this time, it’s over.’

I must win somehow. Namgung Hyeon, who recalled Namgung Yeon’s defeat, clenched and opened his grip. Because his palm felt like it would slip from the sweat.

‘This is more than I thought.’

He had been thinking that Namgung Yeon might lose.

That was because none other than Uicheonmun itself had proposed this duel format. Since Namgung Family was already a difficult opponent, there was no way they would choose a duel format unfavorable to themselves.

They must have some plan. Seohwa’s level must at least be at a level where she could contend with Namgung Yeon.

That’s what he thought. Until he watched the duel.

‘Even I couldn’t confidently say I would win.’

Those eyes.

Namgung Yeon seemed to not have properly grasped it, but Namgung Hyeon, who watched the duel from outside, could clearly grasp it. Seohwa’s eyes, which read the entire flow of techniques before Namgung Yeon could even properly develop them.

To break through those eyes, one must lead the opponent into a flow where they have no choice but to be hit even knowing it. Since the opponent reads two moves ahead in the future, it means pushing them into an unstoppable flow from three moves before.

‘Even so, not everyone would have such eyes…… but if this person also has a similar ability.’

This duel—perhaps he might lose.

“Uicheonmun disciple Wangpal. Like my junior martial sister, I don’t have a title. I ask for your guidance.”

“Namgung Family’s Namgung Hyeon. My title is Azure Sword Dragon . I also ask for your guidance.”

Watching Wangpal perform a pogwon greeting, Namgung Hyeon assessed the opponent’s sword. A large but well-balanced build. A sword hilt worn at the top.

‘It seems he uses cutting-focused swordsmanship. It doesn’t seem like he specializes in strength-focused swordsmanship particularly.’

A troublesome opponent. Especially more so because he doesn’t know what abilities he might have.

Namgung Hyeon clicked his tongue inwardly and took a step back to assume a starting stance. Then Wangpal quietly spoke.

“I don’t have a special ability like my junior martial sister.”

“It seemed you would be needlessly wary. My junior martial sister’s ability isn’t my ability, so gaining an advantage through that would be cowardly, wouldn’t it?”

Watching Wangpal speak calmly and firmly, Namgung Hyeon showed a glint of interest in his eyes and stared at Wangpal before nodding. The following words.

“I’m grateful for the courtesy. You could have gained an advantage, yet.”

“It’s the natural thing to do.”

“Since I received courtesy, I cannot not return it. Let me also tell young hero something. In this duel, I won’t use the Imperial Sword Form .”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s still immature.”

An immature sword is worse than not using it. Though he hastily drew out the incomplete Imperial Sword Form in an instant at the exchange tournament, ultimately, Namgung Hyeon’s main strength is the Changgung Muae Sword .

“Not using it is stronger. It’s not to show mercy to young hero, but to do my best in this duel, so I won’t use it. Therefore, there’s no need to be wary of the Imperial Sword Form.”

“Can we consider the debt repaid with this?”

“Sufficiently.”

Not using the Imperial Sword Form.

Watching Wangpal quietly repeat this, Namgung Hyeon slightly relaxed his grip on the sword and took a starting stance. And watching that, the Sword Sovereign spoke.

“Both sides, prepare.”

Silence flows.

Namgung Hyeon taking a middle stance and Wangpal taking a low stance. Those aiming their blades from below to above, from center forward, gauge each other while looking at each other’s shoulders.

“Begin!”

The moment the Sword Sovereign’s signal fell.

Kaaang—!!!

The duel began with Wangpal deflecting Namgung Hyeon’s sword, which had approached in an instant.

‘First, probing.’

Kagagagang!

Continuous strikes.

Namgung Hyeon, who lightly scattered sword energy while gauging the opponent’s sword form , swung his sword tip while continuing his thoughts. Wangpal’s appearance, firmly holding his position.

‘Fundamentally defensive. Indeed, there’s a reason he came out as the opponent.’

If Namgung’s sword is compared to a typhoon, Wangpal’s sword is like an iron pillar driven into the ground. An iron pillar that will stand there no matter how wind and rain sweep and lightning splits the earth.

‘He doesn’t shake easily.’

He doesn’t lose composure. A cautious type of swordsman who doesn’t rashly dig into openings even when deliberately shown—one who doesn’t unreasonably exploit openings.

Then there’s only one thing to do. If the opponent doesn’t show openings, just push him into an environment where he has no choice but to show openings.

Namgung Hyeon’s eyes gleamed as he smoothly moved his blade.

Changgung Muae Sword

Azure Sky Thunder Rain

The technique Namgung Su displayed in the previous duel.

The form is the same but the results aren’t. If the strike Namgung Su unleashed was like lightning from a clear sky—intermittent and sudden—Namgung Hyeon’s strike descends like the punishment of a thunder god, massively onto Wangpal’s head. And before that lightning even reaches, the technique that connects.

Changgung Muae Sword

Azure Sky Great Expansion

The sky overflows. From top to bottom, from bottom to top, from front to back, from back to front.

At the surging avalanche of blue sword energy overflowing from all places, Wangpal, who opened his eyes wide, immediately moved his body to cut through the avalanche. Because otherwise, the sword energy was so densely packed around that he couldn’t even move.

Seogeogeok!

‘He doesn’t confront directly.’

Namgung Hyeon, who confirmed the sword energy being loosely cut and disappearing while creating gaps in the fabric, quietly moved his sword tip and made a judgment. Wangpal operating his martial arts in a way that conserves internal energy even at the cost of some damage.

It must be because his total amount of internal energy is insufficient. Though Seohwa just showed that she didn’t fall behind Namgung Yeon even in internal energy, that’s ultimately an exceptional case for a disciple of a small-to-medium sect.

‘He’s preparing for a long battle, thinking I’ll aim for one. He’s certainly cautious.’

Cautious and wise. Though it’s natural to try to decide the match quickly when internal energy is insufficient, Wangpal doesn’t show such impatience at all. Actions possible because he trusts the opponent’s eyes and trusts his own judgment.

‘That’s your mistake.’

If one has guessed the opponent’s intention, there’s no need to be dragged along by the opponent’s intention. Because.

Namgung Family’s martial arts aren’t shoddy martial arts that simply crush opponents with overwhelming internal energy.

“Did you watch the previous duel? The duel between Baek Risan and Namgung Su.”

“If you watched, I apologize for dirtying your eyes. You would have seen the Changgung Muae Sword that Namgung Su displayed.”

Namgung Hyeon spoke briefly during the lull, and Wangpal, without answering, quietly raised his sword. However, watching that, Namgung Hyeon declared calmly.

“The Changgung Muae Sword you’ve seen so far was merely an imitation of the outer shell. To watch that and say you’ve experienced it would be ridiculous.”

“So, young hero, and Uicheonmun, as a token of gratitude, I’ll show you. What Namgung Family’s sword is like.”

Because it’s called Changgung Muae Sword for resembling the  boundless and endless  blue sky.

“See what boundless means.”

It won’t be as easy as before.

With Namgung Hyeon’s words, a sword forest bloomed from the ground.

Different from the sword strikes until now.

A dense forest of blue blades, countless in number.