novelraw Chapter 159 : Chapter 159
Chapter 159 : Chapter 159
Chapter 159 - The Sword Wind of Flowers
“…………!”
First Yongjin, and now Sajin, had been defeated.
At this point, the swordsmen of the True Dragon Sect began to have such thoughts.
The thought that something was very, very wrong.
Especially Elder Yubeop, who had led the disciples, had to make a great effort to hold onto his wandering mind.
‘His wrist is broken……?’
The wrist is one of the strongest parts of a swordsman.
This is because it is a part that must be packed not only with external skills but also with internal energy.
But to have his wrist broken while blocking the opponent’s sword?
This was also something that could only happen if there were several levels of difference between the two swordsmen.
‘Absurd.’
Let's concede on the external skills a hundred times.
But what about internal energy?
The part that Elder Yubeop could not understand the most was the internal energy.
The disciples of the One Heart, One Path were children who were provided with only the best elixirs available in the True Dragon Sect.
Although it was a method that inevitably raised issues of fairness with other disciples, the effect was certain.
A swordsman selected for the One Heart, One Path would have a stronger internal strength than their seniors in the same sect.
Occasionally, a genius would appear who surpassed a generation.
He was confident in other areas, but especially in this internal energy, he thought he was not inferior to any sect.
But.
What on earth was this?
Yongjin, who came out first, had committed the farce of dropping his sword, and the second, Sajin, had bled black blood after a few defenses.
Later, his wrist was even broken.
Both scenes were phenomena that occurred when internal energy was insufficient.
Yubeop’s bewildered gaze turned to various parts of the sect.
What kind of ghostly trickery had been used, that this place was teeming with beasts of internal energy?
“Gegelgel. I thought our sect was full of chaff, but it seems that side is full of half-cripples.”
Just then.
A tone that had eaten manners for breakfast was heard.
‘Which bastard……!’
As Yubeop turned his head irritably, he saw an old man of similar age to himself standing with a young girl.
“That’s right, grandpa. I heard they only brought swordsmen who were a big deal in the True Dragon Sect. How can there be such a lack of talent?”
Yubeop narrowed his eyes at the two.
It wasn't because he was in a bad mood.
It was because the distant old man’s appearance resembled someone who was called a legend.
A slightly hunched back, protruding front teeth and cheekbones.
And half-white hair.
“Aish. I even skipped work to come here, but the development is worse than squashing bugs in a corner. Do the Nine Sects One Union just let people in with money these days?”
“Heehee. How would I know? We lived in the mountains all the same.”
Crucially, the extremely harsh tone and the content of having lived in seclusion in the mountains.
Yubeop calmed his trembling heart and asked Jeokseo.
“Sect Leader. The old warrior over there, could he be…”
“Hoholhol. With Elder Yubeop’s insight, it would be strange not to recognize him. Elder Hyeokri has been taking care of our sect for half a year.”
“Hyeokri Chong!”
Yubeop was so surprised that he shot up from his seat.
He hadn’t reacted like this even when his two disciples were lying on the floor.
It was proof of how great Hyeokri Chong’s presence was.
“…………So you recognize me.”
Hyeokri Chong’s lips twitched as he looked at Yubeop.
He had thought that at this distance, those in the seats of honor wouldn't hear.
It seemed there was a rather outstanding swordsman in the True Dragon Sect as well.
“Hmph. I should just shut up and watch.”
Now that he knew someone was listening, Hyeokri Chong shut his mouth.
No matter how self-willed the old man was, he didn’t want to cause trouble at an event between sects.
However, Yubeop’s gaze was still fixed on Hyeokri Chong.
‘I knew something was strange……!’
He felt like a puzzle that he couldn't understand was being solved.
The reason why the One Heart, One Path disciples of the True Dragon Sect had been completely defeated in a battle of internal strength.
The existence of Hyeokri Chong was like the key to that puzzle.
‘What a disaster.’
Yubeop was no longer confident that he could hide his confusion.
The result of today’s sparring match was important, but more important was the future of the sect.
Hyeokri Chong was a treasure-like existence who could turn a group of starving swordsmen into a pack of beasts.
If the younger generation disciples of a sect that had just reclaimed its main mountain about a year ago were at this level, how different would they be in a few years?
For the first time in a long time, Yubeop was seized by a certain emotion.
The name of that emotion was ‘a sense of crisis.’
“This time, Hojin will go out!”
His bewildered emotions were revealed in his voice.
Hojin, who was called, stood up on the training ground with a stiff expression.
It seemed he thought that the last two defeats had displeased Elder Yubeop.
‘From now on, we must never lose.’
There were a total of five swordsmen who would go out today.
Since they had already lost twice, if they lost even once more, today’s result would be confirmed as a defeat.
Some might say, what’s the big deal about losing in a sparring match.
But for those who had received all the good treatment, praise, and envy, it was an unacceptable assumption.
“Hojin, a third-generation disciple of the True Dragon Sect, requests a match!”
Hojin deliberately raised his voice and drew his sword.
His thick eyebrows and sturdy build gave off a strong sense of integrity.
“I am Jeong-i of the Diancang Sect.”
The swordsman facing Hojin was a person with a completely opposite atmosphere to that of integrity.
It felt even more strange because he had just witnessed Uma’s viciousness.
How could they give off such different feelings while wearing the same martial uniform?
‘What kind of swordsman’s appearance is that…….’
Jeong-i’s beauty was so outstanding that it made one forget they were about to have a duel.
Hojin stared blankly for a moment before snapping back to his senses and tightening his grip.
On the other hand, from the merchants who had no need to hide their emotions, exclamations of admiration poured out.
“It seems a female swordsman has come out this time!”
“Hah. I never thought I would see such a sight in a sparring match!”
“That beautiful appearance…… with a little exaggeration, isn't she the number one beauty under heaven?”
“I thought the saying ‘snow-white skin and flower-like beauty’ was an exaggeration…… but today I feel like my eyes have been newly opened.”
Merchants who were only concerned with appearance during a swordsmen’s duel.
However, Yi Gwon-su had no intention of despising them.
Because even he, who had seen Jeong-i’s face several times, would lose himself in admiration every time he saw her.
‘I wonder what her sword skills are like?’
It was the first time for both Yi Gwon-su and the merchants to see Jeong-i’s swordsmanship.
Considering the performance of the two swordsmen before her, Jeong-i’s skills would not be ordinary either.
As the sparring match progressed, the spectators’ expectations for her, no, for the Diancang Sect, grew.
“Tahat!”
The first attack came from Hojin’s sword.
This was not a situation where he could yield the first move just because his opponent was a woman.
If they were to lose even once more here, it would result in the defeat of the entire True Dragon Sect.
Paat!
A swordsmanship named after its resemblance to the movement of a dragon soaring through the sky.
An advanced martial art not permitted to ordinary third-generation disciples.
The Heavenly Roaming Dragon Sword began to roar from Hojin’s sword.
“Ooh!”
At his fast and swift movements, the spectators let out exclamations of admiration.
They just hadn't known because they had been one-sidedly beaten so far, but of course, the True Dragon Sect also had powerful swordsmanship.
Looking at the fiercely swirling sword path, the crowd could finally feel for themselves why these people had been chosen for the One Heart, One Path.
They were by no means weak swordsmen.
Elder Yubeop, who was watching the duel, also seemed to think it was going well, as his pupils were filled with the light of hope.
Rustle.
On the other hand, Jeong-i did not feel any domineering aura like Hojin.
Only slow movements were visible, to the point where one wondered if she was even moving correctly.
The crowd, who had been enchanted by Jeong-i’s beauty for a moment, once again became suspicious of whether this was really a duel.
Because her movements were like a piece of a dance.
“It’s dangerous……!”
The blade was flying, but she was just dancing slowly?
It was natural for anyone to think that way.
However,
Kang!
As if they had coordinated in advance, Hojin’s sword strike was touching Jeong-i’s blade.
“!”
‘Blocking this technique… with such slow movements?’
Hojin’s thick eyebrows shook uncontrollably.
It wasn't that his opponent had moved to match his sword path, but it felt as if his sword path had been sucked into Jeong-i’s dance.
Hojin had a dumbfounded expression for a moment as the sword strike he had thought would surely work was blocked.
That’s why he couldn't properly grasp the current result.
That the clash just now had more meaning than just blocking the sword.
“Um…… now……”
“I know. You see it too, right?”
The disciples of the True Dragon Sect whispered in hushed tones.
What they were paying attention to was not the clash of the two swordsmen, but their ‘position.’
After the sword was blocked, Hojin had retreated more than thirty feet, but Jeong-i’s position was the same as where she had started.
Considering that Hojin was the one who had attacked, the difference was very large.
Normally, Hojin might have noticed the difference, but for him, everything was a first.
The first time having a formal sparring match with another sect.
The first time clashing with a female swordsman.
And above all, the experience of the One Heart, One Path disciples being pushed back.
‘……I will find out if she blocked the attack by luck or by skill if I check.’
Hojin did not hesitate and stomped the ground once again.
“Haap!”
The fiercely charging Hojin and the calm-eyed Jeong-i, aiming at her opponent, were reminiscent of a fight between fire and water.
It was the same development, but there was one difference from before.
Jeong-i’s movements were gradually becoming faster.
It seemed to move slowly, but it was fast, and it seemed flexible, but it was as sharp as a thorn.
Among the existing Diancang Sect swordsmen, Jeong-i was the only one who used this swordsmanship.
Flowery Chaotic Dance Sword.
The closer Hojin and Jeong-i got, the more Jeong-i’s movements shook violently in Hojin’s vision.
“?!”
The beauty of slowness shows its true value when developing high speed.
Hojin, who had become accustomed to Jeong-i’s slow movements, failed to notice the sharp sword she countered with.
Generally, sword dances pursue splendor, but the Flowery Chaotic Dance Sword, as befits the swordsmanship of the Diancang Sect, contains speed.
Jeong-i, who was the first among the younger generation disciples to awaken to the Profound Heaven's True Energy Unification Art, had more than enough internal energy required for the Flowery Chaotic Dance Sword.
The flower-like sword wind she created instantly cut through Hojin’s blade,
Chaeng!
and at the same time, slashes flew repeatedly towards Hojin’s head, both arms, and solar plexus.
Pabababak!
“Ugh!”
Four attacks that followed after the blade was deflected.
It was a situation where even the most stout-hearted swordsman would have to squeeze his eyes shut.
“……?”
But strangely, apart from a slight stinging sensation, nothing was transmitted.
Hojin slowly opened his closed eyes, and only then could he grasp the situation.
Only a very small wound remained on his body.
Jeong-i had held back her hand.
“……Huu.”
However, he had no talent for soothing the deep-rooted sense of defeat.
Hojin buried his head in the ground and managed to open his mouth.
“……I have learned a lesson.”
“Me too.”
Jeong-i bowed her head in return and turned her steps.
Soon, a huge round of applause erupted from behind her.
“Hya……”
“Isn’t that amazing? I don’t know if this is swordsmanship or art.”
“It doesn’t seem like she used her full skills. I’m tired of being surprised now!”
At first, they were just captivated by Jeong-i’s beauty.
But after the sparring match was over, their interest was focused on the swordsmanship she had left behind.
Because it was a very splendid and impressive swordsmanship that had not been seen in the Diancang Sect before.
Among the excited chatter, the only ones with stiff expressions were the True Dragon Sect.
Especially in Yubeop’s case, his expression was so stiff that it felt like it was rotten.
“Kekeke. Kekekeke.”
Every time Biyoung’s mocking laughter was heard from the side, Yubeop’s cheeks trembled.
“I will go out next!”
Was it because he felt sorry for Yubeop?
Before he could give the order, a sturdy young man bowed his head towards Yubeop.
“Yes. Cheongjin. You go out.”
A ray of light once again appeared on Yubeop’s badly contorted face.
Among the five gathered here, Cheongjin was the oldest and the most skilled.
If Cheongjin were to overwhelm the younger generation disciple of the Diancang Sect, he could at least save face.
‘If that happens…….’
He would pull out Biyoung, who was sitting in his seat, and request an extra sparring match with Cheongjin.
He judged that regardless of the result of the sparring match, if the best swordsman turned out to be from the True Dragon Sect, he could achieve his initial goal.
Thump.
“?”
Suddenly, Biyoung stood up from his seat.
Was he going to move as Elder Yubeop had thought?
But unfortunately.
Biyoung’s intention was in the exact opposite direction.
“Junior Sister Hong! It’s your turn!”