Chapter 317: The Song of Swords (2)
Even without words…
…Sincerity is conveyed.
The Dark Emperor no longer probed further.
Instead, he accepted the proposal by taking a Po-Kwon stance.
“I am The Dark Emperor, the Uho-beop of the Heavenly Demon Cult.” [1]
Standing to the right of the Heavenly Demon, supporting him.
For Murim.
To restore the Heavenly Demon’s lost inner power.
For the first and last time, a duel, not a life-and-death battle, was held between the Murim Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Cult.
Boom!
The Dark Emperor clashed his fists together.
The energy of the ‘Black Heavenly Demon Emperor’s Art’ exploded in an instant, turning the surroundings black.
Swoosh.
Chuhon Sayoung also stepped forward, gripping her sword infused with sword energy in her right hand.
Tap.
Step.
Her steps were too light for the current situation.
In the heavy atmosphere like the depths of the sea, the two closed the distance towards each other.
One step.
This distance is where third-rate warriors gauge their spacing.
Not knowing their exact range, they watch each other from a distance, merely cautious.
Step.
The distance closes.
Two steps.
This is the distance of first-rate warriors.
Close enough to inflict wounds if they swing their swords.
Hence, even those who are first-rate do not dare to close the distance recklessly.
Step.
The distance narrows again.
The Dark Emperor and Chuhon Sayoung still only glared at each other like beasts, not attempting any movements.
They just kept advancing.
Three steps.
This is the distance of supreme masters.
Only those who have perfectly grasped their own spacing can approach this range.
It wouldn’t be strange if swords and fists clashed at any moment.
Yet, neither swung their swords nor extended their fists.
The final step.
The distance narrowed to where they could feel each other’s breath.
No martial artist in their right mind would allow their opponent to get this close.
However, the two representatives of Murim showed no hesitation in entering each other’s range.
Suddenly.
Swoosh…
A dazzling radiance erupted.
[Chuhon Sayoung activates ‘Soul-Chasing Sword Dance’!]
The sword sang.
Different from the Soul-Chasing Sword used by Chun Yoosung.
Different from the Soul-Chasing Sword used by Jinhyuk.
The sword dance of the one who founded the Soul-Chasing Sword cut through the air in a chaotic pattern.
Flowers made of swords bloomed, and white snow fell in the night sky.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Predicting the sword path is meaningless.
Each form creates new forms.
“Hoo!”
The Dark Emperor took a deep breath.
Boom! Boom! Boom, boom, boom!
He deflected the invisible sword strikes with his fists, waiting for an opportunity.
The Dark Emperor’s specialty is not speed but destructive power.
Therefore, a single decisive strike matters.
Slash!
Zzt!
Wounds appeared all over his body.
Red lines were drawn on a body harder than steel.
Each one was astonishingly sharp. Enduring them was exhausting.
However, The Dark Emperor avoided critical points and waited for the moment when Chuhon Sayoung’s rhythm and sword flow slightly deviated.
Now.
The inevitable gap between all forms.
He seized the moment when the sword forms connected.
Chuhon Sayoung also realized her own gap, but the moment was too brief for a major attack.
Thud, thud, thud!
The Dark Emperor took five sword strikes with his bare body and drew his fist back.
Terrifying energy concentrated at a single point.
Wooooong!
Even if it’s just a duel… When two people of this level fight, the story changes completely.
“This is my martial art. Take this.”
Boom!
The sword shield Chuhon Sayoung formed collided head-on with The Dark Emperor’s punch.
The air echoed.
“Ugh!”
The sword shield reinforced with self-defense energy shook violently.
It couldn’t absorb the shock entirely.
[A large amount of ether is released!]
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
The bamboo forest was swept away by the overwhelming power of the two energies.
The terrain and scenery changed.
This place, which was a forest moments ago, now resembled a battlefield.
‘As expected.’
Jinhyuk looked at the black and white spheres floating in the air.
The energies of Yin and Yang.
The two energies, flowing around, were eventually absorbed into the Heavenly Demon’s body as they couldn’t pass through the barrier.
[Inner power is recovering.]
[Inner power is recovering.]
Through the ‘Eyes of Gluttony,’ Jinhyuk saw the Heavenly Demon recovering rapidly.
However…
‘This is a problem…’
The energies of Yin and Yang.
To fill the enormous vessel that is the Heavenly Demon, a duel between just the two is insufficient.
It’s not just a matter of quantity but also diversity.
Even the energies of Yin and Yang exist in dozens of different types in detail.
Even with the same martial arts, different users produce completely different energies.
Indeed, once the Heavenly Demon’s recovery reached a certain level, it no longer progressed.
“…”
“…”
The Dark Emperor and Chuhon Sayoung also sensed the anomaly.
They saw the black and white spheres floating in the air, unable to be absorbed.
“It seems that our duel alone isn’t enough.”
“Indeed, as you said. No matter how much we fight, it’s meaningless. Our energies are overflowing already.”
In that case…
The two glanced in different directions.
＊＊＊
Chuhon Sayoung gently stroked Chun Yoosung’s cheek.
Her pale hand looked exceptionally white in the moonlight.
“I’ll have my disciple from the Murim Alliance take the stage. Our Chun’s Soul-Chasing Sword should create a different energy from mine.”
“Master… Are you saying… me?”
Chun Yoosung asked in surprise.
“Oh my, do you lack confidence? Being overshadowed by The Dark Emperor’s disciple… It’s disheartening to have taught the Soul-Chasing Sword.”
A fight against Jinhyuk, not The Dark Emperor.
Realizing who his opponent was, a different light flickered in Chun Yoosung’s eyes.
“That’s… exactly what I wanted.”
A duel with Jinhyuk was something he eagerly anticipated, even without Chuhon Sayoung’s push.
Swoosh!
Chun Yoosung drew his sword.
The ‘Flower Dance Plum Blossom Sword’ given to him by Jinhyuk traced a smooth arc.
“Today, I’ll prove that my sword is the best by defeating him.”
“Hmm. That brat over there says he’ll crush you.”
The Dark Emperor also tapped Jinhyuk’s shoulder.
“Well, he’s always like that. He charges in, gets beaten… cries… I’m used to it.”
“Haha! Good spirit. Yes, though we ended in a draw, you must thoroughly defeat that brat so he never dares to mention a duel with the Heavenly Demon Cult again.”
The Dark Emperor and Chuhon Sayoung were so evenly matched that they couldn’t determine a victor within the confines of a duel.
If they truly wanted to win, the next step would be using lethal techniques.
“I intend to do so.”
Jinhyuk drew his fangs from the distorted space.
Under the moonlight.
Two swords were drawn.
Chun Yoosung took a deep breath.
[Unique Ability ‘Song of the Sword’ is activated!]
“I’ve waited for this day, Kang Jinhyuk.”
A brilliant Yang energy surged.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
The sword wind created by the sword pressure perfectly surrounded Chun Yoosung.
Simultaneously.
[Unique Ability ‘Grave of Swords’ is activated!]
“You really… never have a dull day.”
Cold Yin energy followed Jinhyuk’s fangs.
The Dark Emperor and Chuhon Sayoung watched their disciples.
As if seeing the two pillars that would lead this world in the future.
Thus.
Thud!
Thud!
Jinhyuk and Chun Yoosung charged at each other.
＊＊＊
Heartbeats thundered.
Crossing swords.
A chill that felt like it could cut flesh.
Their forms merged into one.
Jinhyuk slashed horizontally with his sword.
Clang!
Chun Yoosung slightly altered the trajectory of the fangs and immediately counterattacked.
A fierce strike targeting the arms and legs came like a storm.
Clang, clang, clang!
Jinhyuk spun the fangs counterclockwise.
‘He indeed… became stronger.’
Previously, he was just an annoying leech…
His growth was palpable.
He must have undergone rigorous training under Chuhon Sayoung.
Chun Yoosung lowered his stance, preparing for the next attack.
Swoosh!
Sword energy spreading from the tip of the sword.
A new form of the Soul-Chasing Sword unfolded.
Simultaneously.
Jinhyuk also executed a new form along the void.
Soul-Chasing Sword Dance.
Demonic Soul Sword Dance.
Different sword dances.
Yet, both pursued the same end.
Fifth Form.
Fifth Form.
Forms are merely processes for the end.
Soul-Chasing Destruction!
Demonic Ridge One Strike!
Soul-Chasing Sword and Demonic Soul Sword.
Boom!
The two ultimate techniques neutralized each other’s energies.
[A new type of ether is generated!]
Yellow sparks appeared among the black and white spheres.
A new path opened.
Just a little more, and the Heavenly Demon’s inner power would be significantly restored.
It might not reach his peak, but aiming for at least seventy percent would be feasible.
At that moment.
“How is it?”
Chun Yoosung’s sword halted for the first time.
“Hmm? What is?”
“What do you think of my sword? Has anything changed since before? If so, how much?”
Good grief.
He’s like a child, eager for praise, like a cat bringing its prey to its owner.
I thought of saying, ‘You’re an opponent I can use my full power against.’
But seeing his proud demeanor twisted my mood.
‘I won’t let you see me satisfied.’
If he felt content and sheathed his claws now, it would hinder the restoration of the Heavenly Demon’s inner power.
What was needed now was not a carrot but a stick.
“It’s not bad… but surely this isn’t all, right? No way. It doesn’t seem much different from before… You couldn’t have prepared just this much despite training hard, right?”
Jinhyuk shrugged.
“What… What did you say?”
“I mean, even Wolyoung is better than you.”
“…”
Grit!
Chun Yoosung clenched his teeth.
“Fine. I’ll show you something that will shut you up.”
Chun Yoosung gripped his sword with both hands.
Though not yet perfect,
The essence of the Soul-Chasing Sword lay within that sword.
‘Yes… He is a ranker destined to receive the title of Sword Saint.’
I always teased him, so I didn’t realize.
Now, it feels more real.
Chun Yoosung is one of the few talented enough to reach the upper floors of the tower.
Woooong!
The sword left afterimages, increasing in number.
As if hundreds of blades had materialized.
Soon, all those weapons would pour down on this side.
“It’ll be hard to dodge all of these.”
Indeed…
This is dangerous.
Jinhyuk extended his fangs forward.
“You’re right, dodging all of them would be tough.”
In that case…
“I’ll crush them all head-on.”
Crack!
The materialized energy began to curve into a crescent shape.
Black Moonlit Night.
A black crescent moon cast over the dagger.
The skill that made Chun Yoosung drink several bitter cups.
***
Footnotes:
[1] Uho-beop: 우호법 (友好法), meaning “Deputy Law” or “Second-in-command,” a high-ranking position within the Heavenly Demon Cult.