Chapter 109

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 23, 2025

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The martial duel began simultaneously with Namgung Sol’s declaration of strength.

Contrary to the audience’s expectations of a fierce battle, both fighters moved cautiously.

Although Yang Geon-o made a dismissive remark about Namgung Sol, it was purely for psychological warfare, not because he was underestimating her.

“The Blue Sword Emperor secluded himself for ten days. Given that he accepted immediately upon arriving in Luoyang, there must have been a connection from before. In that case, he must have taught her a secret move…”

“She’s a Peak Master. She feels similar to Yang Jeong. I can tell from sparring with various people.”

Both of them were deeply analyzing each other in their minds.

And such analysis was also happening outside the arena.

“It’s going to be a bit tough.”

Now, even Paeng Ha-ryeong had reached a level where she could gauge the strength of another Peak Master.

While Jegal Seon-a, who still lacked such insight, remained silent, Paeng Ha-ryeong continued.

“The opponent is very calm. On the other hand, Sookmae seems emotionally shaken. It seems the psychological warfare worked.”

“Y-you can see that? From what I saw, both seemed calm, looking for openings…”

“Can’t you feel it with your Resonance Power?”

“Ah, when there’s too much power around, my Resonance Power gets too focused on that…”

Namgung Woo’s presence made it difficult for her Resonance Power to function properly.

“The flow of energy, so to speak? Sookmae is more shaken than the opponent. Even though Sookmae is quite mature for her age, she’s still lacking in experience compared to the opponent.”

Paeng Ha-ryeong’s judgment was correct.

Namgung Woo was seeing the same thing. Although there were differences in the details, his overall conclusion was the same as Paeng Ha-ryeong’s.

“Even though we picked the weakest competition, it’s not easy.”

Namgung Woo responded to Paeng Ha-ryeong’s regretful remark.

“Weakest? No.”

“Huh?”

“We avoided the difficult ones. Well… in that sense, you could call it the weakest, but it’s hard to say it’s the absolute weakest.”

Everyone is looking for the weakest spot. But the more everyone tries to find an easy spot, the fewer easy spots remain. When information becomes homogeneous, things level out.

However, there were definitely difficult spots. Places where those confident in their skills openly displayed their presence, as explained before.

There are eccentrics like Geumshin who rush into such places, so those spots do get filled, but it’s still tough for Namgung Sol.

That’s why we came to the southwest, but the southwest isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

“And even if there were completely weak spots, we wouldn’t have gone there.”

“…Right. It’s not an environment where you can always take the easy path.”

If Namgung Sol continues to walk the same path as Namgung Woo, what she faces won’t be martial duels but real life-and-death battles.

If someone seeks an easy path even in a martial duel where the risk of losing life is extremely low, how can they endure such a perilous journey?

“Also, it’s not like Sol has no chance of winning.”

“Huh? Ah, that’s true… right? Just because her level is lower doesn’t mean she’ll definitely lose…”

Paeng Ha-ryeong herself had held her own against a Transcendent Peak Master while still at the Peak Master level. Although she ultimately lost.

If the gap between a Peak Master and a Transcendent Peak Master can be narrowed, then the gap between a Peak Master and a First-Rate Master can certainly be overcome with the right circumstances and luck.

“Setting that aside, even in a pure skill match, she wouldn’t be at a significant disadvantage.”

The biggest difference between a Peak Master and a First-Rate Master is the ability to wield Sword Energy.

But if that Sword Energy doesn’t reach, the difference is negligible.

Of course, Peak Masters generally possess superior physical abilities compared to First-Rate Masters, so this is purely theoretical, but just because it’s theoretically possible doesn’t mean it’s impossible in reality.

“It’s worth a try.”

Namgung Woo, with his chin resting on his clasped hands, predicted Namgung Sol’s victory.

She has a chance.

Although her level is lower, in terms of total internal energy, Namgung Sol surprisingly had much more.

If she can use it well…

As Namgung Woo simulated the battle in his mind, Jegal Seon-a cautiously but firmly spoke up.

“…Um, Great Hero… your legs are shaking…”

§

Namgung Sol took the first move.

Instead of using the Swallow Spin Step, she charged forward with the Thunderous Step, her sword flashing with light.

Yang Geon-o wasn’t flustered. He had intended to yield the first move. He infused his sword with internal energy and clashed with Namgung Sol’s blade.

Clang!

Both had amplified their sword strength with Spirit-Infused Sword Technique. The sound of their clashing swords was incredibly heavy.

Yang Geon-o was cautious. For him, who couldn’t yet freely wield Sword Energy, it was a trump card. Considering he had two more duels ahead, he couldn’t use Sword Energy recklessly.

‘Sword Energy is for a decisive moment, a sure-kill strike.’

Namgung Sol intuitively realized Yang Geon-o’s thoughts the moment their swords met.

‘Then…!’

A strong offense. Namgung Sol stepped forward again, pressing the attack.

The swift strikes of the Azure Sky Flying Swallow Sword Technique aimed at Yang Geon-o. Was it a slash or a thrust? The preparatory movements were unusually vague.

Thud! Clang!

‘What’s this? I’m blocking properly, but the shock reaches my wrist…’

In an instant, Yang Geon-o was on the defensive, frantically blocking Namgung Sol’s sword.

This was the backlash of yielding the first move. But Yang Geon-o had anticipated some degree of being on the defensive.

However, Namgung Sol’s sword strength was strong enough to negate the gap in their levels.

‘Her internal energy is on par with mine.’

This was familiar to Yang Geon-o.

How could he not know the benefits disciples of prestigious sects enjoy in their martial training? He had seen many younger individuals with much higher levels and greater internal energy.

But the total amount of internal energy isn’t that important.

If there’s a gap in levels, even if the opponent has more internal energy, there’s a difference in power. A higher level means higher output.

Having a low level but a lot of internal energy is like having a well full of water but a small bucket to draw it.

Yet, such powerful sword strength…

‘The difference in martial arts… it’s Ascendant Martial Arts…!’

Why are Ascendant Martial Arts called so?

Why do martial artists differentiate between ordinary martial arts and Ascendant Martial Arts, and why is there a gap between them?

It’s because martial arts are not just about physical movements but also about handling profound energy.

Beyond controlling the body, pursuing the transcendence of human limits through energy is the essence of martial arts.

The depth of understanding and secrets in handling energy determines the level of martial arts.

And Namgung Sol’s martial arts were undoubtedly superior to Yang Geon-o’s.

‘To this extent… did the Blue Sword Emperor truly pass down his martial arts?’

Swoosh!

Namgung Sol’s sword cut through Yang Geon-o’s complex thoughts.

But Yang Geon-o’s focus was already disrupted. He had thought that since she was the Blue Sword Emperor’s disciple but hadn’t reached the Peak Master level, she might just be borrowing his name. But experiencing her martial arts, it was different. She was a true disciple. Even if she hadn’t been taught all of his techniques, it was clear he had genuinely taken her as a disciple.

Namgung Sol read the hesitation in Yang Geon-o’s eyes.

What he was seeing wasn’t Namgung Sol’s sword technique. It was the presence of Namgung Woo behind her.

Yielding the first move was similar. It wasn’t Namgung Sol he feared, but the trap he worried about, fearing Namgung Woo who had taught her.

If he’s chasing an illusion, use that illusion.

Namgung Sol boldly closed the distance.

Like a moth recklessly flying into a flame, drawn by the power of Ascendant Martial Arts.

This was the moment Yang Geon-o had been waiting for.

‘Now!’

A grayish energy surged along Yang Geon-o’s sword. His insufficient internal energy and lower-level martial arts. To compensate, he had honed his internal energy control, quickly forging Sword Energy.

Swoosh!

The sound of the blade cutting through the air changed.

But even that was controlled.

He couldn’t kill. While fatalities in martial duels aren’t unheard of, doing so would invite resentment. The justification of a martial duel isn’t enough to quell the desire for revenge.

The backing of the Blue Sword Emperor left some leeway in Yang Geon-o’s sword.

But even if he had gone all out, the result before his eyes wouldn’t have changed.

The shaking air. Yang Geon-o’s sword only cut through empty space, ending its flight in vain.

Swallow Spin Step. With steps as swift as a swallow, Namgung Sol escaped Yang Geon-o’s sword range.

Yang Geon-o desperately tried to retrieve his sword, willing to take some injury to overcome this crisis. But Namgung Sol’s sword was faster.

Azure Sky Flying Swallow Sword Technique. The unpredictable trajectory of the sword reached Yang Geon-o’s neck from an angle he couldn’t anticipate.

A counterattack after evasion.

It was a textbook reversal.

“I won.”

Stopping the sword at the last moment to avoid injuring the opponent, it was a perfect finish.

But Yang Geon-o, with his last bit of reluctance, spoke words of blame instead of conceding.

“…A cheap victory. If I hadn’t been mindful of the Blue Sword Emperor and swung my sword with the intent to kill, I might have lost my life. You prepared this counterattack knowing that, didn’t you?”

“Well, wasn’t it you who brought him up first?”

With no retort coming to mind, Yang Geon-o hung his head low.

It was hard for him to accept that his final challenge ended in a first-round elimination.

But that was his problem.

The world doesn’t cater to everyone’s individual circumstances.

“The winner is Lady Jeong. Both of you, please leave the arena. Lady Jeong, please rest and await further duels.”

Sanggeon, who had been anxiously watching the duel, quickly stepped onto the arena to settle the situation. He promptly declared Namgung Sol’s victory and glanced towards where Namgung Woo was.

His efforts to make up for a mistake were commendable.

§

“I won! I won! Did you see? Like this, the fourth form of the Flying Swallow Sword Technique, Swift Swallow’s Descent! How was it?”

Excited by her first victory, Namgung Sol came running, jumping around.

She then mimicked the moment that decided the duel, relishing her victory once more.

Under her expectant gaze, Namgung Woo suppressed the urge to say something and spoke.

“Well done. But I’m sure I told you before. Prioritize not getting hurt over winning or losing.”

“…I was confident. I thought the Swallow Spin Step would be enough to dodge.”

“Good thinking. You executed the Swallow Spin Step well. But don’t forget. Avoid taking unnecessary risks unless absolutely necessary.”

“Yes! I’ll remember!”

Seeing Namgung Sol respond energetically, Namgung Woo chuckled and patted her head.

“You did well. Rest while regulating your energy. I’ll guard you.”