novelraw Chapter 189 : Chapter 189
Chapter 189 : Chapter 189
Chapter 189 - It's Not the End of Your Life
‘This is the second time…’
Eung Gajin calmly gazed at the weapon in Namgung Chu’s hand.
It was made of a hard metallic material, obvious at a glance.
It was long and slender overall, with a tip as sharp as a brush.
The Judge’s Brush.
It was a weapon that the children of the Namgung Family Clan had learned for generations.
Before the match, Eung Gajin asked him.
“I have seen the Judge’s Brush a couple of times before, but I have never seen one as hard as Sir Chu’s weapon. It seems to be made of a special material.”
“Haha. You saw right. This Nam Family’s Treasure Brush was made by adding Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron to molten iron. Its strength is superior to that of ordinary steel.”
“The treasure of the Namgung family… The name is as good as its performance. Then what is the name of the martial art you have shown so far?”
“The martial art I showed you during our match is my family’s ultimate technique, the Solitary Soul Penetration Art. For generations, our ancestors have pursued the Ten Thousand Bristles, Aligned Force when doing calligraphy. The Solitary Soul Penetration Art is a martial art designed using our ancestors’ brush strokes.”
Perhaps because he had an opportunity to talk for the first time in a while, Namgung Chu’s face looked quite good.
“But why are you asking about that now? It’s not like you haven’t had a chance to ask before, and this isn’t our first match, is it?”
At Namgung Chu’s question, Eung Gajin smiled faintly.
“I am trying to learn it now. Just because today’s match ends does not mean our connection in the Murim ends as well.”
“Heo…”
Namgung Chu scrunched up his bulbous nose as if genuinely impressed.
“You have truly changed a lot. It is true that a change occurs when one opens the Governor and Conception Vessels. But Young Hero Eung has gone beyond that level and feels as if he has achieved enlightenment.”
An inferiority complex.
Or perhaps self-pity?
Although Eung Gajin had a heroic demeanor, Namgung Chu had felt such emotions during their match.
A heart that seemed chased and even desperate was unfiltered in his swordsmanship.
But what about now?
Regardless of today’s result, Eung Gajin was already looking ahead to the next move.
He had thought that both his present self and the present Namgung Chu could change as much as they wanted in the future.
It was a line of thought that could never have emerged if negative emotions had dominated his mind.
Grin.
Namgung Chu bared his teeth and smiled.
He liked this change in Eung Gajin.
“I’ll tell you in advance, I can’t go easy on you like in the first match. If I’m not careful, I might be the one to go to the afterlife.”
Namgung Chu drew his opening stance with the Judge’s Brush and declared war.
“That is what I wish for as well.”
Eung Gajin also responded with a splendid move.
“Kyaa!”
“What a picture, what a picture.”
The very picture that the spectators who had come to the martial arts tournament had been anticipating was being created by the two men.
Although Namgung Chu’s appearance was by no means picturesque, the atmosphere the two created was very plausible.
Tatadat!
Namgung Chu’s words that he would not go easy were indeed no lie.
Despite being the winner of the last sparring session, Namgung Chu launched a preemptive strike without hesitation.
Was it cheap?
No.
It could be seen as a move that held Eung Gajin, who had opened his Governor and Conception Vessels, in high regard.
Pakang!
The terrifying tip of the Judge’s Brush stopped in front of Eung Gajin’s acupoint.
Eung Gajin was blocking the tip of the Judge’s Brush with his blade, his eyes wide open.
“Ha!”
With a sound that could be either a kiai or admiration, Namgung Chu spun around once.
Then he launched a series of stabs toward five of Eung Gajin’s acupoints.
Clang clang clang!
Eung Gajin quickly moved his sword and blocked Namgung Chu’s attack.
“As… astounding…!!”
“Waaaaaaaaah!”
The spectators began to go wild at the exchange of offense and defense, which was on a different level from the previous rising stars.
In fact, now that the two had opened their Governor and Conception Vessels, it was an insult to even call them ‘rising stars.’
Their skills were so impressive that Deokdam, who was sitting on the high seat, naturally chanted the Buddha’s name.
“The world has changed completely.”
Biyoung stroked his chin like an old man and smiled with satisfaction.
Those who did not know would think it was a fight between two evenly matched individuals from the start.
But considering the match from a few days ago, it could be said to be a change as great as the difference between heaven and earth.
In the first match, Eung Gajin did not dare to even think of facing the Judge’s Brush.
Although Eung Gajin had consistently taken the Cradle-to-Grave Pill in Diancang, it was no match for Namgung Chu, who had opened his Governor and Conception Vessels.
But what about now?
At least in terms of internal energy, it was a situation where one could not declare either side to be superior.
Clang!
However, that did not mean that Eung Gajin had the advantage.
As each strike tenaciously aimed for his vital points, Eung Gajin felt as if he was breaking out in both hot and cold sweat at the same time.
‘It would be better to face a real sword.’
Eung Gajin bit his lip as he watched the Judge’s Brush, which selectively stabbed only the dangerous acupoints.
Had he not seen the match between Tang Gogwi and Jin Dong earlier?
If he continued to defend like this, it would eventually end in Namgung Chu’s victory.
‘A perfect defense is impossible in the first place.’
Defense is for the counterattack that follows.
But if he was so preoccupied with defending like now, his defense was only half-complete.
Eung Gajin pretended to block the incoming Judge’s Brush with his sword, and completely shifted his center of gravity to one knee.
Then he quickly spun around once.
Whirl.
It was the evasive technique of the Flying Eagle Steps, a basic footwork of the Diancang Sect, the Rotating Retreat.
After opening his Governor and Conception Vessels, Eung Gajin’s Rotating Retreat did not look like basic footwork at all.
Spat!
Namgung Chu’s tenacious and ruthless Judge’s Brush grazed Eung Gajin’s side.
Eung Gajin’s eyes contorted in pain, but he did not delay and leaped diagonally, drawing his sword in a diagonal line.
“Slanted Wing Flank Strike!”
An exclamation of admiration burst from Solbo’s mouth.
It was the most powerful technique of the Eagle Talon Twelve Swords, and the most effective attack one could make after evading a stabbing-type attack.
“Ha!”
Namgung Chu once again let out a shout mixed with admiration.
The transition from the Rotating Retreat to the Slanted Wing Flank Strike was seamless, and Namgung Chu had not yet recovered his Judge’s Brush.
‘He got him!’
At that scene, Uma clenched his fists.
It seemed that there was not enough time for Namgung Chu to retract his extended arm.
But at that moment, instead of bending his arm, Namgung Chu used his fingers to slide the Judge’s Brush he was holding backward.
“?!”
The Judge’s Brush slid along Namgung Chu’s hand like a snake.
Naturally, the Nam Family’s Treasure Brush became longer at the back, leaving only the head part.
In terms of a sword, it was like the hilt being longer than the blade.
Since the body of the Judge’s Brush was not sharp, it was no problem to hold it this way.
Pakang!
The Judge’s Brush, which protruded long from the back of his hand, completely blocked Eung Gajin’s Slanted Wing Flank Strike.
Eung Gajin’s pupils, who had thought it was a decisive move, momentarily shook from side to side.
A tremor that would not have been noticed if one had not been watching carefully.
However, Namgung Chu did not miss that fleeting gap.
Like a man driving a wedge, he pressed the sharp point of the Judge’s Brush onto Eung Gajin’s acupoint.
Pssh!
Red blood spurted into the clear sky.
Because he had moved his body desperately, he had avoided a vital spot, but he could not prevent an injury to his shoulder.
“Senior Brother Eung!”
Solbo’s regretful cry rode on the cheers of the spectators.
Eung Gajin, who had created some distance, tore his martial uniform and roughly bandaged his shoulder.
Fortunately, no more blood flowed.
“A very strange skill.”
Eung Gajin clicked his tongue as if genuinely impressed.
He never thought he would use the Nam Family’s Treasure Brush in this way.
Looking at its shape, it seemed like a simple weapon that could only be used for stabbing, but on the contrary, because it was different from a sword, it was a weapon that could be applied in ways a sword could not.
‘The shoulder injury is not light, and my combat experience is lacking.’
Eung Gajin calmly analyzed the current situation.
He too had engaged in large and small battles when he worked as an escort in Simao, but the experience Eung Gajin was thinking of was not that kind of low-level exchange.
The experience of fighting with masters.
Eung Gajin, who had just opened his Governor and Conception Vessels, was sorely lacking in practical combat experience against masters.
So, the conclusion he came to.
‘There is nothing to be gained by dragging out time.’
Ssssss…….
“Ha!”
Once again, an exclamation of admiration burst from Namgung Chu.
He had thought he might be intimidated after being injured, but Eung Gajin’s energy was becoming stronger than before.
Squeeze.
Eung Gajin bent one knee and compressed his body like a spring.
A form that was on the verge of springing out at any moment.
Namgung Chu already knew what that posture meant.
‘The Sun-Shooting Sword Art…!’
It was a technique he had seen when he fought against Woo Jinsu of the Kunlun Sect.
‘I feel somewhat sorry.’
Namgung Chu showed a smile with a complex meaning.
Then he too poured a great deal of internal energy into the Nam Family’s Treasure Brush.
Paaat!
A green light began to bloom at the tip of the Nam Family’s Treasure Brush.
It was a color more brilliant than the blue robe he was wearing.
“Tsk…”
Biyoung clicked his tongue softly as he watched the scene.
However.
Since everyone was focused on the match, no one heard that sound.
“Haaaaaap!”
Swiiiiiiish!
With a movement like a ray of light, Eung Gajin’s sword slowly shook.
A simultaneous slash that poured down from nine directions.
Carrying a dazzling flash of blue light, the Nine-Shooting One Flash was directed at Namgung Chu.
“Tahaap!”
The Nine-Shooting One Flash, difficult to block or dodge.
Namgung Chu’s choice was to clash with it head-on.
VWOOOM!
The small energy gathered at the tip of the Nam Family’s Treasure Brush gradually grew larger, and eventually, it expanded to be larger than a human head.
At the same time, Namgung Chu executed three stabs at a formidable speed.
“Three Strikes No Remainder Twin Brush…!”
A voice like a groan escaped from Biyoung’s mouth.
The Three Strikes No Remainder Twin Brush, which delivered three attacks with immense energy.
It was a grand name given because although it stabbed a total of three times, no one could withstand the first attack, making the other two unnecessary.
“!”
Eung Gajin’s eyes flashed when he saw Namgung Chu’s technique.
‘There’s a chance of victory!’
Nine-Shooting One Flash and Three Strikes No Remainder Twin Brush.
His side was unleashing nine attacks, while the other side had at most three techniques.
BOOM!
When the Nine-Shooting One Flash and the Three Strikes No Remainder Twin Brush first clashed, a roar as if thunder and lightning had struck echoed.
The crowd’s ears were ringing, but they could not even move at the monstrous exchange between the two.
BOOM!
The second clash also spread a similar shockwave.
Even though they were quite far from the fighting stage, the spectators in the stands felt their skin tingle.
If ordinary people had been near the fighting stage, they would have been sent flying or suffered internal injuries from the aftermath of the energy.
BOOM!
And the last, third time.
Eung Gajin somehow managed to endure Namgung Chu’s three attacks.
‘I did it!!’
His mind grew faint from the shock that felt like he would faint, but Eung Gajin had finally seized the initiative.
His Nine-Shooting One Flash still had six attacks left.
On the other hand, the Three Strikes No Remainder Twin Brush was no longer…….
Clang.
Just then.
A brilliant sound was heard from under his feet.
Eung Gajin inadvertently lowered his head and saw a sword lying on the ground.
It was a sword of the Diancang Sect, decorated with the shape of an eagle’s wing on its hilt.
Drip… drip.
And on that sword, drops of blood were falling.
It was Eung Gajin’s own blood, flowing from his torn palm.
Due to his injury, Eung Gajin had dropped his sword.
“………….”
Although Eung Gajin had shaken off his anguish in the Phantasmal Confusion Forest, it was not easy to accept reality.
It was because martial artists were made from birth to be unable to accept ‘this.’
However, Eung Gajin raised his head and proudly puffed out his chest.
“I admit my defeat.”
Even the scorching sunlight could not dare to contort his expression.
Yes.
If he had fought a battle he was not ashamed of, that was enough.
It was not like his life was ending with today’s match.
Clap clap clap clap.
Perhaps because Eung Gajin’s heart had been conveyed.
A heartfelt round of applause, warmer than ever, poured out for Eung Gajin, who had been defeated in the match.