novelraw Chapter 155 : Chapter 155
Chapter 155 : Chapter 155
Chapter 155 - Without Missing a Single Syllable
The saying that the morning before dawn is the darkest must be referring to this moment.
In the darkness, like a layer of black paint added to the curtain of the night, a man sat cross-legged.
Tssssss…….
The surrounding grass and leaves swayed from side to side.
At a glance, they seemed to be fluttering randomly, but there was a precise rule to their movement.
Inhale.
Exhale.
The sound of the man breathing.
Following his breath, the surrounding plants moved in concert as if they were in harmony.
After some time had passed.
The man's two eyes, etched as if drawn, flashed in an instant.
Chaeng!
Literally, a flash of lightning.
From getting up to drawing the sword from its sheath, the time required was but a fleeting moment.
Pssshh……!
A sword aura, much deeper and more dazzling than the blue of the dawn, began to illuminate the surface of the man’s sword.
But that was only for a moment.
This time, a light blacker than the darkness of the night was dyeing the sword's surface.
Woooong!
The more the blade was submerged in darkness, the more intensely the vibrating sound that tickled the ears resonated.
The man placed his feet diagonally and coiled his body tightly.
It was a posture that looked ready to spring out at any moment, like a spring forcibly compressed.
It was fortunate that there was no one around; if someone had been nearby, they might have suffocated just from the atmosphere of the scene.
The dangerous vibration resonating from his sword,
the rustling bushes that swirled together as one body,
and the formidable internal energy emanating from the man’s entire body would have pressed down on them.
“Haap!”
With a clear shout, the man unleashed a single sword strike.
The black sword seemed to disappear from its original position, and in no time, his form and the sword had reached a distance of a hundred feet.
Swiiissshh!
The air, which had failed to react to the man’s single strike, soon returned to its place.
The man’s single strike was faster than the air, and faster than sound.
Along the path of his single strike, the atmosphere, sound, and bushes were all sucked in at once.
Chwachwachwachwachwa!
A scene unfolded as if a great typhoon had passed through.
However, this was not a whim of nature, but merely a single sword strike.
The only one who knew that fact was one person.
The man who had just used the Vacuum Sword.
It was Biyoung.
“Huuuummm.”
Unlike his serious demeanor when he unleashed the sword, Biyoung was now stroking his chin with a playful smile.
“As expected, it’s not like it used to be.”
A moment ago, Biyoung had executed the ultimate technique of the Diancang Sect, which combined the Sun-Shooting Sword Art and the Vacuum Sword.
A sword that was said to be unavoidable once unleashed.
The ultimate secret art of the Diancang Sect, where one didn't even realize they were dead when the sword was drawn.
Soul-Stealing without Awareness.
It was a formidable technique that had even pierced through the Body Protecting Aura of the great Heavenly Demon.
But unfortunately, Biyoung’s Soul-Stealing without Awareness had not yet reached the level of the World’s Fastest Sword.
“Well, this much is a relief.”
Biyoung turned his steps without any lingering attachment.
The power of the technique might be lacking, but the important thing was that he could finally use the technique of Soul-Stealing without Awareness.
There was a time when just using the Sun-Shooting Sword Art or the Vacuum Sword caused an overload in his body.
The harmony of the Heaven-Shaking Divine Pill and the Earth-Drawing Spirit Pill.
And the Cradle-to-Grave Pill he had consistently consumed.
His swordsmanship from his past as the World's Fastest Sword, and his dantian, which was now more pure and solid than back then.
All of this combined, Biyoung had reproduced Soul-Stealing without Awareness in his mid-to-late teens.
A miracle.
If the elders of the previous generation had seen this, they would have called it a miracle without hesitation.
“Hwaaaam. I’m sleepy.”
Biyoung yawned continuously like someone who hadn't fully woken up.
His training always took place at a time when others were not awake.
When the day broke and the younger generation disciples woke up, he had to instruct their training from then on.
Unless you were a god, your swordsmanship skills wouldn't improve just by eating and sleeping.
Although Biyoung was reincarnated with many things, it didn’t mean he could just sit still.
“Our senior brothers should know about this.”
As the dawn began to break in the distance, a pale light illuminated Biyoung’s face.
A rather bitter taste lingered on his lips.
In the past, he would have crawled into a cave at any time to enter secluded training to improve his martial arts.
But Biyoung had no intention of doing that anymore.
He had painfully learned in his past life what consequences came from developing alone.
To raise the younger generation disciples without leaving the main mountain and to improve his own skills, this was the only way.
What was fortunate was that the martial studies of the World’s Fastest Sword remained intact in his mind.
Even on the same path, there was a world of difference between a path once walked and a first-time journey.
That's why just by utilizing his spare time like this, efficient training was possible.
Sssseup.
After finishing a round of training, Biyoung pleasantly inhaled the air.
The cool air of Diancang Mountain, which he drank in after pouring out his internal energy, provided a great sense of refreshment.
The five senses, developed after opening the Governor and Conception Vessels, sensed the surrounding objects in detail.
Shwaaaa.
The sound of the scattering grass and leaves felt like music presented by mother nature.
“Hmm?”
Biyoung, who was appreciating the refreshing air and the sound of the leaves, raised one eye.
An energy that was not felt at this time had been detected.
“No way?”
Biyoung headed towards the mountain gate with short steps.
His senses were indeed correct.
A single figure was rapidly ascending towards the mountain gate.
“Sedong?”
“Biyoung?”
They looked at each other with bewildered expressions.
“The morning training is still a long way off, you’re already here?”
“It’s good to prepare early. Why are you already awake?”
“Just because. I felt a presence near the mountain gate.”
“Hehe. I see.”
Perhaps because he thought no one would be awake yet, Sedong looked quite pleased to have found Biyoung.
“But are you okay? You must have had work left to do at the merchant guild.”
“Steward Jo Seom handled it well, so I’m fine. I just have to make a few choices.”
“Hmm. That man is trustworthy.”
Biyoung was also acquainted with Jo Seom.
In the past, when he had coincidentally saved a merchant group from the Tree-Uprooting Stronghold, the steward at that time was Jo Seom.
Even in a difficult situation, Jo Seom did not run away and tried his best to protect the merchant group.
He seemed a bit inflexible, but such people are less likely to betray you.
“But that’s amazing, Biyoung. Even though you weren’t always here, you felt a presence from far away?”
“Sometimes that happens when you’re sensitive.”
Biyoung chuckled and added a word.
“Besides, it wasn’t just one person.”
“Huh?”
Sedong blinked his round eyes a couple of times.
Not one person?
“Could it be……”
Sedong recalled a monk he had encountered on the mountain path.
Was his destination the main mountain itself, not simply to cross the mountain?
“There he comes. The other one.”
Where Biyoung’s gaze was directed, a pale figure could be seen.
It was hard to see clearly due to the dawn fog, but the clothes the figure was wearing were clearly yellow.
“Amitabha. Excuse me.”
A young monk with a pleasant impression made a one-handed prayer gesture.
He had originally planned to come early and observe the surroundings of the main mountain, but since there were two people in front of the mountain gate, he couldn't help but speak to them.
‘It turned out just as the True Dragon Sect said.’
Biyoung thought so inwardly while feigning ignorance and asking.
“You seem to be a monk from Shaolin. What brings you to our sect?”
“That is correct. I am Gye-yeong of Shaolin. I came to deliver the Abbot’s will.”
At the word Abbot, Sedong’s face turned surprised.
It was no wonder he was surprised, as Sedong had not been present during the conversation with Yubeop of the True Dragon Sect.
“You are diligent from early in the morning. I am Biyoung. This here is Sedong.”
As Biyoung revealed his name, Gye-yeong’s eyes shone brightly.
‘This person is Biyoung……!?’
The rumors about the Diancang Sect circulating around.
The core of those rumors was always the man named Biyoung.
‘But…….’
He had heard that his appearance was young.
But now that he had come and seen him in person, it wasn't that he looked young, he was literally just young.
He was not even in his twenties; he still had the air of a boy.
Could this Young Hero truly have raised the fallen Diancang Sect?
“What are you looking at?”
“……Ah.”
Only then did Gye-yeong realize his mistake and blush.
He had stared blankly for too long because of the younger-than-expected face and handsome appearance.
“Amitabha. This humble monk has committed a discourtesy.”
“Discourtesy? Not at all. It’s been a while since I’ve seen people from Shaolin, so I’m glad to see you too.”
“……?”
Not the first time, but it’s been a while?
As time went on, he had more and more questions, but Gye-yeong did not rush.
Didn't they say an awl in a bag will eventually poke through?
If this man was indeed the Biyoung who had caused a stir in Yunnan, he would reveal his sharp form while they were together.
“Hoholhol. Welcome.”
However, Gye-yeong’s ordeal continued even after passing the mountain gate.
‘This…… isn’t this the smell of alcohol?’
The person who appeared as the Sect Leader was a small-statured, powerless old man with drooping eyes.
Although he had been taught not to be swayed by any external appearance, even Gye-yeong found it difficult to maintain his composure in the face of the pungent smell of alcohol.
“This humble monk from Shaolin greets the Sect Leader of the Diancang Sect.”
“This humble old man is called Jeokseo. An esteemed guest has come from Mount Song.”
In the room were the man named Biyoung whom he had seen at the mountain gate, a man about his own age, and a cranky-looking old man.
“The Abbot has ordered me to deliver this petition to the Sect Leader.”
Gye-yeong took out a petition from his bosom with a fluid motion and respectfully presented it.
“Hoholhol.”
The content was simple, clear, and neat.
It was about holding a martial arts tournament for the younger generation to get a glimpse of the future of the Jianghu Murim.
“The Abbot has requested that the Diancang Sect also participate in the martial arts tournament.”
“Kekeke.”
“?!”
A laugh that didn’t fit the serious atmosphere was heard.
The owner of the voice was Biyoung.
“What…… do you find so amusing?”
Gye-yeong felt a little uncomfortable at the laughter that came out as soon as he delivered the Abbot’s will, but he didn’t show it and asked politely.
“The word ‘requested’ is funny. I was wondering if there was a need to use such an expression.”
“………….”
“It’s a tournament held by the great Shaolin, isn’t it? I’m sure there will be many who will participate even without us. It seems you sent the petition later than you did to the Nine Sects One Union, so do you usually make requests in that manner?”
“It is not like that……”
Gye-yeong felt a little wronged.
It was true that he had sent a person later compared to the other sects.
But that wasn't because they were looking down on the Diancang Sect.
The very fact that the Abbot had personally told him to go was proof that they considered it important.
“Well, it’s fine. It might have been said out of a lack of shame.”
Could it be that there was some lingering guilt for having stood by while the sect collapsed?
Biyoung snorted once.
In any case, he wouldn’t know until he met the Abbot in person.
Facing a Shaolin monk directly, Biyoung found it difficult to control the turmoil in his heart.
The sight of them acting as if nothing had happened, leisurely delivering a petition now, did not sit well with him at all.
“It turned out well. Since you’re here, you might as well stay until tomorrow.”
“Turned out well…… This humble monk does not quite understand the Young Hero’s meaning.”
Biyoung wore a strange smile, like someone who had hidden an interesting toy.
“The True Dragon Sect is scheduled to attack tomorrow. We’ve decided to have a good, hard fight.”
“Yes? A fight?”
“You crazy bastard.”
Eung Gajin, who had been fidgeting all along, finally couldn’t hold back and stopped Biyoung.
“Ahem. Our sect’s swordsmen have decided to have a sparring match with the third-generation disciples of the True Dragon Sect tomorrow.”
At the word ‘sparring match,’ Gye-yeong’s ears perked up.
He was already planning to check out various parts of the Diancang Sect, and now a sparring match between the younger generation.
Wasn’t this like rolling out the red carpet for him to watch comfortably instead of having to peek secretly?
“Amitabha. Thank you for granting this humble monk such a precious opportunity.”
“In return……”
“?”
With eyes that somehow resembled Biyoung’s, Eung Gajin emphasized each syllable.
“Please deliver the result of the sparring match to Shaolin without missing a single syllable.”