novelraw Chapter 180 : Chapter 180
Chapter 180 : Chapter 180
Chapter 180 - The Future of Zhongnan Is Also Unpromising
Kh-ptui!
A man appears, spitting on the floor of the arena. The way he rested the back of his sword on his shoulder looked as delinquent as it could be. The spectators who had been chattering this and that about the Diancang Sect all became as silent as a mute who had eaten honey.
“Uh……”
You said he was the Jade-faced Quick Sword. You said it was a sect with many handsome men and the world’s number one beauty?
‘That?’
‘From where?’
‘He looks scarier than the ruffian in our neighborhood?’
The swordsman of the Diancang Sect who stepped out for the opening of the young talents' martial arts tournament. Uma glared at his opponent with his small eyes.
“…………!”
The swordsman facing him was Yulhyeon, a third-generation disciple of the Zhongnan Sect. He was one of the prospects whom Zhongnan placed their expectations on, a man with an impressive appearance of a pretty face and large eyes.
‘Just what kind of fearsome man is he……?’
Yulhyeon bit his lips firmly. To think there was a swordsman who suppressed one's fighting spirit with just his appearance. He had heard various stories about the Jianghu from senior masters, but he had never heard of a case like the current one. Yulhyeon tried not to show it, but he could not eliminate the caution and fear that filled his large eyes.
‘Judging by his appearance, he looks exactly like someone from our sect.’
With such a thought, Uma asked the monk acting as a judge.
“So, can I start beating him up now?”
“…………!”
It was a domineering remark that perfectly suited his appearance. At those words, the monk’s eyes widened, and two lines of wrinkles appeared on Yulhyeon’s brow.
‘How can a swordsman of a sect that was once called prestigious be so unmannerly.’
Although it was true he was surprised by the appearance, Yulhyeon was also a talented swordsman who received expectations in Zhongnan. The proud pride as a prestigious sect set fire to his shrunken heart. As Yulhyeon roughly pulled out his sword, the monk, having confirmed the appearance of the two swordsmen, stepped back.
“Begin the duel after the greeting or the starting form is finished between each other.”
Uma chuckled and roughly showed a starting form. On the other hand, Yulhyeon’s starting form had moderation and was pleasant to see.
“Hah, truly……”
Hollow laughs leaked from the mouths of the spectators. This is a martial arts tournament for orthodox sects hosted by Shaolin. But this scene was, what should I say, did it not seem like a battle between good and evil?
“Chah!”
With a gallant battle cry, Yulhyeon extended his sword. A sword path in which power was felt in clean movements without any superfluity. It was a single move of the Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven, which was the base and, on one hand, could be called the entirety of Zhongnan.
Clang!
Along with a refreshing sound, the two swords collided in the air.
Tatang!
The Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven performed by Yulhyeon had a sturdy and steadfast taste. While the sword of Zhongnan was originally like that, Yulhyeon’s sword also tended to emphasize the basics.
“Wow!”
Exclamations burst forth continuously at the exchange performed by the two swordsmen. There were more than ten arenas around them, but the one that drew the world’s attention was clearly the side of Uma and Yulhyeon.
“At first, it felt like a hero versus a villain, but is it not quite a decent exchange!”
“The offense and defense are so dazzling that I can't take my eyes off it!”
“It’s quite a close battle, so I don't know who will win!”
At that moment, Uma, who was in the middle of exchanging blows, leaped back.
“?”
Judging by his appearance, it didn't seem like he was pushed back in momentum. Uma stopped performing swordsmanship and put the back of his sword on his shoulder.
“!”
It was an arrogant posture that would have caused him to be smashed in an instant if Yulhyeon had been a swordsman skilled in surging. However, far from being concerned about defense, Uma casually spoke.
“Where do you rank among the third-generation disciples?”
“……?”
What kind of sudden question was this in the middle of pointing swords at each other. But perhaps because there were many people paying attention, Yulhyeon answered with a spirited voice.
“I would at least be above average.”
“Really?”
The back of the sword that had been on his shoulder slowly came down. At the same time, Uma bared his teeth and smiled.
“Then the future of Zhongnan is also unpromising.”
“!”
It was a remark whose arrogance pierced the sky. At the same time, Yulhyeon’s face was distorted like a piece of tissue paper.
“Dare…… a leftover of an annihilated sect talk about the future of Zhongnan?”
“That’s why I’ve been playing around with you for a bit.”
“?”
“I thought a young talent of the renowned Zhongnan would be something different. But……”
From a distance of about three Zhang, Uma pointed his sword toward Yulhyeon.
“If you are above average, then no young talent of Zhongnan can surpass Diancang.”
Yulhyeon wanted to retort something, but he couldn't. It was because an unusual sharpness, completely different from before, was emitted from Uma.
Sway.
“?!”
Even though he had sharply raised his guard, Uma disappeared from Yulhyeon’s sight. By the time Yulhyeon was greatly surprised and held his sword in front of his body, Uma had already activated a technique.
Clang!
A sound more chilling than the blue sky echoed throughout the arena. A swift surging swordsmanship whose distance of three Zhang was unbelievable. It was the Wind-Cleaving Iron-Piercing, a technique of the Eagle Talon Twelve Swords, named because it advances through the wind and pierces through iron.
“!!!”
Spin spin.
The gazes of the crowd all turned toward the sky. A single sword that rose high into the sky rotated leisurely before falling. The owner of the fallen sword was Yulhyeon of the Zhongnan Sect, and he was faintly trembling with the hand that had lost the sword.
“Got anything to say?”
Uma bared his teeth while looking down at Yulhyeon. It was a strike that wasn't even visible to the eyes, and at that attack, he had ended up losing the sword he was holding. Quite a bit of time was needed before Yulhyeon admitted that fact.
“……I have lost.”
Along with Yulhyeon’s declaration, the monk on the arena raised one hand high.
“Victory for Uma of the Diancang Sect!”
“Wa…… wa wa!”
“Wooooooooo!”
The crowd, who had been watching the spar with bated breath, only then burst into shouts. They had just been enjoying the sight of the exchange between Yulhyeon and Uma. But the technique Uma showed at the end didn't even properly enter their eyes. A sword so fast and strong it wasn't even visible to the eyes of ordinary people. Literally, it was a quick sword.
“Good job, Uma!”
“It seems the rumors of the Diancang Sect were true!”
“But don't look this way!”
Shouts poured down toward the departing Uma. Uma looked around the spectator seats for a moment and then raised one corner of his mouth.
‘It’s not bad.’
He was one who had suffered all sorts of harsh things while in Simao. Not to mention being threatened with a sword by someone saying they couldn't pay back the money they borrowed, he was often attacked while walking on a dark mountain path. Was it because he did the most difficult and hard work among the Diancang Sect young talents? The cheers and support he received from the people of the world as a 'martial artist' felt quite new to him.
‘If possible…….’
It wasn't just because of Biyoung’s threat, but Uma sincerely wanted to try climbing to a high place. So that he could continue to feel this way.
***
“They say sincerity moves heaven.”
A swordsman gnashed his teeth while looking at the name written on the bracket. Unlike his young age, his face was full of venom.
“To think such luck would come to me.”
On the sword hilt he gripped tightly, three knots woven with thin strings were attached. A three-knot swordsman of the Mount Heng Sect. Sangsam tightened his waist sash firmly with bloodshot eyes. A middle-aged man next to him gave a warning.
“Although he is a leftover of Diancang, you must not let your guard down. He might have a move of his own.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Sangsam bowed his head. However, a clear sneer bloomed on his hidden face.
‘Did you not also see, Master? Can such a coward even properly draw his sword?’
Sangsam, the three-knot swordsman and a third-generation disciple of the Mount Heng Sect, could not forget the disgrace of a few days ago. The strike he suffered at the hands of Namgung Chu while arguing with the Diancang Sect. Thanks to his Senior Uncle Jun-il treating him that night, Sangsam was able to participate in the tournament.
‘I will wipe out both Namgung Chu, who sneakily attacked me, and the fellow named Biyoung.’
He was attacked by surprise while he was talking; he didn't lose due to skill. The pride of a third-generation disciple of the Great Mount Heng Sect, which dominated Hunan, was not yet broken. An opportunity came to Sangsam, who had been sharpening his blade of revenge for a few days. He saw the name of the Diancang Sect in his first match-up. He was not even Biyoung or Namgung Chu, who looked formidable. He was a man truly perfect for the subject of Sangsam’s venting of anger.
‘Those fearful eyes are still vivid in my mind.’
He would beat him up until he declared his withdrawal, no, he would pretend not to hear and beat him up even if a withdrawal came out. With such a vow, Sangsam went up to the arena.
“I am Sangsam, a three-knot of the Mount Heng Sect.”
The appearance of Sangsam announcing his identity on the arena was quite plausible. The crowd who had come to the scene also knew very well what meaning the three knots had.
“Hoh! A third-generation disciple is already a three-knot?”
“I heard there are many who cannot add a single knot even after turning twenty, he is a talent!”
“His opponent will suffer quite a bit? Besides, is the Mount Heng Sect not famous for its harsh hands!”
At that moment, someone walked with a hesitant step from the opposite side.
“S-Solbo of the Diancang Sect requests a move.”
“……!”
At that inexperienced appearance, Sangsam ended up bursting into a roar of laughter. Was it not exactly that inexperienced appearance he saw at the lodging that day? The people watching also looked at Solbo and tilted their heads.
‘That young man is also a swordsman of the Diancang Sect.’
‘The image is so different from that ruffian we saw earlier?’
‘Being that clumsy, will he even be able to properly draw his sword?’
Amidst the expectations and worries of the people, each drew their starting form.
“Khehe. He’ll be lucky if he doesn't pee himself.”
Gwangyo, who was looking down at the arena from a high seat, laughed fiercely. Since he had the experience of accompanying them to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, he knew well what kind of personality Solbo had. Originally, Gwangyo predicted that Solbo would record the lowest score among the Diancang Sect young talents. Regardless of skill, he was a fellow whom he questioned if he would even think of swinging a sword.
However, when he most recently met the Diancang Sect young talents, Gwangyo sensed an unusual change from two men. One was Eung Gajin. And one was precisely the man standing on the arena.
‘Shall you show me? That the feeling of that day was not an illusion.’
With such a thought, Gwangyo closely observed Solbo’s appearance.
“!”
And soon, Gwangyo’s eyes widened.
‘His feet…….’
Solbo’s sword pointed toward Sangsam with a straight posture. Although not running away could be called a change that would overturn heaven and earth, there was something more important. Solbo, standing on the arena, was maintaining his balance with only the balls of his feet. Someone might retort, ‘So what?’, but Gwangyo, who had been a comrade-in-arms of the World's Fastest Sword, knew very well what that meant.
“The Vast Sky Eagle Body Method……?”
As if he had heard Gwangyo’s words, Solbo’s body moved like a bullet.
Swoosh!
The Sky-Mirror Shattering Strike, which was extended with the Vast Sky Eagle Body Method, was something the surrounding atmosphere could not follow in time. The surrounding air was sucked in like a magnet along the tip of his sword.
Whistle!
“Wow!”
“Ohhh!!!”
The Gale Sword accompanied by the wind. At that miraculous speed, the spectators could not even think of clapping. But the one who was most surprised was someone else. The swordsman looking at the sword that stopped right in front of his chin. It was Sangsam, the third-generation disciple of the Mount Heng Sect. Sangsam had ended up allowing a strike out of the blue without even having a chance to properly extend his sword.
“………….”
Perhaps feeling uncomfortable with Sangsam’s silence, the judge raised one hand high.
“This duel is a victory for Solbo of the Diancang Sect!”
“Waaaaaaaa!!”
What he showed was only a single sword strike, but it was a masterly sword strike more than enough to captivate the spectators. Only after a thunderous cheer poured out could Solbo feel his victory.
‘I did it……!!’
As if to celebrate his victory, his hair fluttering in the sword wind was dancing gracefully.