Chapter 97

Chapter 97

If you were to ask who the strongest among the current Muryeon Hall trainees is, most Muryeon Hall trainees would point to Seonwoo Gang.

Because Seonwoo Gang’s strength was proven without needing to be said, and among those who could predict a one-on-one match against Namgung Hyeon and Baek Risan, only Seonwoo Gang existed. There could be no dissenting opinion.

There’s no dissent about who the strongest is. However, conversely, if you were to ask them to point out the weakest person in Muryeon Hall, most would hesitate to choose. Except for a few who stand out, rankings could flip back and forth depending on the condition of the day.

And from that perspective of who might be at the very bottom.

Sajinhak had always been aware that he might be that answer.

“It’s your turn next.”

“Y-Yes……”

Before starting the match.

“Do you know why Changgungmuaegeom is named Changgung  and Muae ?”

“Uh…… that…….”

At Baek Riyun’s question, Sajinhak, who had been gauging the situation for a moment, closed his mouth and lowered his head.

“I don’t really know…….”

“There’s no need to be discouraged. It’s possible not to know. I’ll explain, so listen carefully.”

With a faint smile, Baek Riyun slightly turned his gaze to look at Namgung Hyeon standing on the training ground and continued speaking.

“Changgung means heaven, and Muae means without end. Then what would Changgungmuae mean?”

“Heaven has no end…… is that it?”

“That’s right. Ultimately, Changgungmuaegeom means it’s a sword that embodies the endless sky. It’s a sword to prove that their swordsmanship is close to infinite .”

As it’s often said, combat is essentially nothing but a contest between one’s strengths and the opponent’s strengths.

The martial arts of the Paeng Family, who are innately gifted with divine strength and have massive physiques, evolved in a direction that could fully utilize that natural divine strength. The Tang Family, located in the Sichuan region where various poisons and rare medicinal herbs grow abundantly, evolved in the direction of developing hidden weapon techniques that could freely utilize those poisons.

In this way, it’s safe to say that what strengths a family possesses determines the direction of their family martial arts. And in the case of the Namgung Family, that was overflowing internal energy.

“Changgungmuaegeom is ultimately a type of swordsmanship that projects overflowing internal energy most efficiently of anything. In reality, internal energy isn’t infinite, but if one can project such abundant internal energy all at once without waste, it wouldn’t be strange if it appeared infinite to those facing it. Do you understand up to here?”

“Yes.”

“Then what do you think you need to do to counter it?”

“Hmm.”

At Baek Riyun’s question, Sajinhak furrowed his brow, contemplating deeply before reaching a conclusion. The answer that followed.

“Create an opening, or overwhelm it all at once, isn’t that right?”

“That’s right.”

Traditionally, there were two methods to counter Changgungmuaegeom. Either overwhelm Changgungmuaegeom itself with momentary output, or strike at the gap where techniques connect.

Particularly, the reason the Namgung Family’s swordsmanship shows great power against the weak is also for this reason. Neither striking at a gap as small as a millet grain nor overwhelming the opponent with momentary output is an easy task for those who are relatively weak.

“That’s why your strength can shine.”

Even if the sky falls, there’s a hole to rise through, and even a mouse hole has days when the sun shines.

“My strength…….”

“That’s right. Your strength. It’s precisely that you lack confidence.”

“Pardon?”

At Baek Riyun’s incomprehensible words, Sajinhak stammered and asked again.

“……Is, is that a strength? It’s nothing but a weakness…….”

“No.”

Baek Riyun chuckled and patted Sajinhak’s shoulder, continuing his words.

“Even with the same shaped sword, whether it’s a swift sword, strong sword, or illusory sword is determined by who wields it. A light and thin sword would be nothing but a weakness to someone who uses a strong sword, but it would be a perfect sword for someone who uses a swift sword. In this way, most weaknesses can be converted into strengths.”

Doesn’t the old saying go, “turn disaster into fortune”?

“Don’t I always say this?”

“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you need not fear a hundred battles…….”

“That’s right. Now that you know your enemy, it’s time to know yourself. Just think about one thing.”

What kind of martial artist am I?

At Baek Riyun’s words, Sajinhak couldn’t dare answer and closed his mouth. Although he had trained in martial arts countless times until now, he had never defined what kind of martial artist he was.

His internal energy was lacking. He wasn’t exceptionally strong either. While his tactical sense was quite excellent, it wasn’t outstanding enough. What method did such a person have to defeat Namgung Hyeon?

He thought and thought again. What he needed was just one thing. A hidden dagger that only he, and no one else, could prepare to defeat Namgung Hyeon.

For a moment.

Having closed his mouth, Sajinhak finished his thoughts and quietly opened his mouth. And then.

Having heard the answer, Baek Riyun smiled.

“Excellent.”

Again.

It has come to now.

Kwaaaaaang-!!!

“Urk……!”

At the deafening explosion that tore at his ears, Sajinhak let out a groan and took a step back to regroup. However, the tsunami of sword energy came rushing in as if not giving him any time to rest.

There were no gaps. Even though his opponent was the weak him, Namgung Hyeon scattered each move with full power as if he wouldn’t let his guard down.

Kwaddddeuddeuk!

“Huff. Huff……!”

A brief lull.

Watching Sajinhak gasping for breath, Namgung Hyeon frowned. He had anticipated that some special technique would be prepared, but the match was unfolding differently from his expectations.

“How long do you plan to just run away? Hasn’t the analysis already finished?”

Initially, Namgung Hyeon had anticipated two possibilities. The first was that they would bring a method to breach Changgungmuaegeom and try to defeat him, and the second was that they would run away as much as possible while draining his stamina.

In the former case, the possibility was small, but if successful, the situation could be completely reversed. In the latter case, the possibility was greater than the former, but there was the problem of placing a definite burden on Seonwoo Gang.

A gamble or safety. He thought they would choose one of those two. He had even anticipated they would go with the second since Sajinhak wasn’t threatening enough. But.

What about the current situation?

“Can you even drain my stamina like that?”

What is the method to drain an opponent’s stamina?

It’s to instill tension in the opponent. No matter how difficult it is to continuously swing a sword and pour out sword energy, there’s no way stamina consumption would be severe when hitting an opponent who absolutely won’t counterattack.

Yet Sajinhak hadn’t attacked even once until now and was only dodging Namgung Hyeon’s attacks. Like a mouse frightened by a cat.

“Did you give up?”

That couldn’t be. If he had given up, there would have been no reason to struggle so painfully.

He knew. Sajinhak hadn’t given up. Even if he had given up, he himself wouldn’t let his guard down. Because this was that important.

However, it was also true that he needed to conserve stamina to face Seonwoo Gang.

“If you’re intimidated, descend. At this rate, only your honor will be tarnished.”

Descend.

At the sight of Namgung Hyeon speaking as if making a suggestion, Sajinhak took a deep breath. The mocking laughter heard from the surroundings.

-What did he come up there to do?

-Muryeon Hall’s fate has run out. To have such an unsightly match at the very end.

-Well, his Naryeotagon rolling technique is exquisite, I’ll give him that.

Each word carved at his heart like a blade. At the criticism directed at him, Sajinhak’s shoulders shrank. Sajinhak gradually becoming intimidated.

-Do as you please and come back. Whatever the result, it won’t be your fault.

His peers who had pushed his back.

-You have to go out last. Sajinhak. If there’s anyone who can land a hit on Namgung Hyeon, it’s only you.

Gyeonghu, who had stepped forward and sacrificed himself to create an opportunity.

-Excellent.

Finally, Baek Riyun, who had acknowledged his method.

“……Huu.“

He didn’t want to back down here.

No.

He couldn’t back down.

Having taken a deep breath, Sajinhak forcibly straightened his shrunken shoulders and slowly gripped his throwing knives, assuming a combat stance. And watching such Sajinhak, Namgung Hyeon sighed.

“You don’t plan to give up.”

“……That’s right.”

“Then that’s fine. I can’t conserve stamina any longer either.”

Namgung Hyeon’s sword strike, slowly receiving internal energy, glowed blue and bared its fangs toward Sajinhak. And then.

“I’ll make you descend.”

Changgungmuaegeom  Secret Technique

Changgungmuhan

Soon after, the moment blue sword energy filled his vision to the point where it seemed impossible to break through.

-The opportunity is only once.

Sajinhak’s hand swept the ground.

At the same time, a massive cloud of dust rose up to fill the vision.

Kwaaaaaang-!!!

‘……Did I fail?’

At the thick cloud of dust, Namgung Hyeon frowned. His sword strike had flowed through empty air smoothly without catching any sensation in his grip.

‘For the dust to be this thick, I must have gone too wild.’

Originally, there shouldn’t have been dust rising from the competition stage. But the training ground must have been considerably damaged from repeated matches.

It didn’t matter. It was a matter of time. He might have dodged by luck this time, but there wouldn’t be a next time. Sajinhak must have depleted a lot of stamina too.

‘When the dust clears.’

I’ll catch him.

Having unconsciously waved his hand at the dust filling the training ground, Namgung Hyeon took a step forward. And at that moment, a strange sound rang out.

Seogeak-!

“……Hm?”

At the strange sensation felt in his abdomen, Namgung Hyeon involuntarily let out a bewildered sound and lowered his gaze. His martial robe, cut sharply and fluttering at the abdomen.

“This is…….”

What is this?

Seuuuk!

Before he could grasp the situation, the next strike came flying. And having barely dodged by reacting to whatever came flying, Namgung Hyeon looked at his sleeve, half-cut and fluttering, and gritted his teeth.

‘I see…… this is what you were aiming for!’

The compatibility between Namgung Hyeon and Sajinhak wasn’t good. Because Sajinhak’s main weapon was throwing knives.

With abundant internal energy, Namgung Hyeon could easily respond if he knew the general location from where the throwing knives were coming. Even if not to the extent of a protective energy barrier, radiating internal energy to reduce speed and deflect them was entirely possible. But.

What about the current situation?

Thick clouds of dust. And the murmuring sounds of the audience.

He couldn’t see or hear. Unable to grasp the situation, the sounds of the throwing knives cutting through the air were buried in the noise of the crowd covering the competition stage, and the appearance of the throwing knives, specially treated to kill their luster, would be difficult to identify with the eyes in this dust.

He couldn’t respond. The compatibility relationship had been reversed. Then what remained was one thing.

The prey becomes the predator.

Jjaaak!

“Urk……!”

This time, unable to dodge the throwing knife that came from behind, Namgung Hyeon’s shoulder was cut shallowly, and he gritted his teeth after confirming the situation. Judgments quickly organized in his mind.

‘It’s fine. I just need to endure while avoiding fatal wounds until the dust clears.’

Although a battlefield favorable to the opponent had been formed, it was fine. The sounds of the crowd wouldn’t stop, but the artificially created dust would clear if the wind blew.

At most a few dozen seconds. As soon as the wind blew, the situation would be reversed. If he moved around and missed the throwing knives, he could be defeated just like that. So there was no need to take risks.

‘Wind. If only the wind blows…….’

Having thought that, Namgung Hyeon suddenly stopped his body. And then.

‘Wait.’

The moment Namgung Hyeon made that judgment.

Something eerie brushed past the back of Namgung Hyeon’s neck.

‘Right now…… is the wind blowing?’

His blood ran cold. Normally, the dust should have started to clear by now.

However, this wasn’t just any arena, but the training ground. Moreover, it was a training ground where people from the Tang Family were competing, and even civilians were permitted to watch. What did that mean?

In other words, it meant that if the wind blew, poison could spread and civilians could be poisoned.

And the Murim Alliance wouldn’t have made such a mistake.

‘Windless. The dust won’t clear……!’

Having realized the seriousness of the situation from the dust that wouldn’t easily clear, Namgung Hyeon tightened his grip on the sword hilt.

‘Can I win by enduring?’

A few dozen seconds would be possible. If he heightened his sense of touch and utilized all his sixth sense, he could avoid fatal wounds.

But could he maintain such a superhuman state of concentration for several minutes?

‘I have to move.’

At this rate, certain defeat.

He didn’t know the opponent’s location. However, the opponent must be in the direction from which the throwing knives were flying.

Then the moment the next throwing knife came flying, he would rush in at once and catch Sajinhak. That was the only option.

Having gritted his teeth and finished his judgment, Namgung Hyeon widened his eyes and sharpened his senses coldly. And then.

Suaaak!

“Behind!”

Kaaang-!!!

Having deflected the throwing knife relying on the faintly heard sound of it cutting through air, Namgung Hyeon leaned his body forward to strike his opponent. At that moment.

“──I thought you would do that.”

At the voice heard from below, Namgung Hyeon’s gaze stretched downward. And then.

“……That was the only way. For me to win.”

Sajinhak, holding a throwing knife in his hand, extended his arm toward Namgung Hyeon with all his might.

Kwaaaaaaaaang-!!!!

Spectator seats.

As the dust cleared, the audience, who had been murmuring, couldn’t continue their words at the unexpected result and closed their mouths. And at the same time, the referee’s expression turned coldly rigid.

“This is…….”

Rough breathing sounds occupied the top of the training ground. The sight of Sajinhak frozen with his throwing knife brought to Namgung Hyeon’s neck could be seen.

In fact, just looking at this, it would be safe to say Sajinhak had won.

However,

“……What a, trickster.”

Paseuseu!

Having maintained silence, Sajinhak, seeing the throwing knife gradually crumbling into powder from the tip, let out a hollow laugh and slowly sank to the ground. And soon after, Sajinhak lost consciousness.

“Oh no!”

“Physician, call a physician!”

Watching Namgung Hyeon gasping for breath with his complexion turned deathly pale, he let out a hollow laugh. Because the traces remaining on the training ground were clear as day.

‘What the…….’

Sajinhak had done well. Certainly, Sajinhak’s throwing knife had reached Namgung Hyeon.

If there was a miscalculation, it was that Namgung Hyeon’s level far exceeded expectations. That he was solid and strong enough to crush everything.

“At that age…… is he a monster?”

At someone’s words uttered like a lament, the audience fell into silence. In fact, there was no other choice.

The traces thickly remaining on the training ground. The sword strike that had swept away the dust.

Because that martial art was called by this name in the world.

“Imperial Sword Form …….”

Now, a young emperor had descended upon this place.