Chapter 54
Contest (2)
Thud!
Wi Hyeonsu's knee buckled and slammed into the arena floor.
It seemed he had been forcing himself to endure until his strength finally gave out.
Dropping to one knee and nearly collapsing, Wi Hyeonsu made no effort to conceal his ragged breathing.
What tremendous sword power.
Because they had collided head-on with pure force against force, his insides had been thoroughly shaken.
Not only was I overpowered, but some technique redirected the force I unleashed back at me.
At the same time, a martial art surfaced in his mind.
Cloud-Riding Wall Stance
One of the sword arts most famously practiced by the Hall Master of the Heavenly Sword Hall.
Rumor claimed it was a martial art worthy of comparison with Wudang's Taiji Sword.
As the disciple of the Heavenly Sword Hall Master, Namgung Jun had naturally learned it as well.
To unfold multiple principles within a single sword strike... and with such mastery.
Wi Hyeonsu swallowed the blood rising into his throat.
His internal injuries were considerable, but not severe enough to prevent him from continuing the match.
If he wished, he could still fight on.
Yet Wi Hyeonsu chose not to.
The single move Namgung Jun had displayed.
The depth of enlightenment contained within that sword strike was impossible to measure.
Having personally felt the gap between them, he acknowledged his defeat.
“Prosperous Star Sword. I think I finally understand why they call you the greatest junior talent of the Azure Sky Society.”
There was not a single spectator who failed to hear Wi Hyeonsu's quiet remark.
Wi Hyeonsu acknowledged Namgung Jun?
That proud man actually acknowledged a junior far younger than himself?
What exactly did he experience in that clash?
While everyone was consumed by questions, Wi Hyeonsu continued speaking without concern.
“Will you spar with me again someday? Another one-exchange duel like today's.”
“You are welcome to challenge me anytime.”
Thunk!
Driving his great saber into the ground, Wi Hyeonsu respectfully cupped his fists.
“I lost.”
“It was a good match.”
Namgung Jun returned the salute.
Even after receiving Wi Hyeonsu's powerful strike head-on, there was not the slightest disorder in his bearing.
How many junior disciples present could have accomplished what Namgung Jun had just done?
It was truly the demeanor of a strong martial artist.
Namgung Jun descended from the arena side by side with Wi Hyeonsu.
Only then did the silence in the spectator stands finally break.
“So it really ends like this.”
“That's unexpected. He's not someone who usually knows how to give up.”
“More importantly, is Namgung Jun truly unharmed? His aura hasn't wavered in the slightest. I'd expect at least some minor internal injuries.”
Even as the next contestants climbed onto the stage, the stands remained in an uproar.
Wi Hyeonsu's declaration of defeat after a single exchange was simply that shocking.
After all, he had been considered one of the leading candidates to represent the Azure Sky Society at the Songshan Assembly.
Although Namgung Jun had recently gained fame as the Prosperous Star Sword, most people had still believed Wi Hyeonsu possessed the better chance of victory.
Furthermore, nobody had expected the outcome to be decided so easily rather than through a hard-fought battle.
Among the younger generation, Wi Hyeonsu possessed sword-breaking saber power that ranked among the very best.
For that reason, even the other elite disciples preferred not to face his great saber directly.
Yet the heavy-sword mastery Namgung Jun had displayed was utterly overwhelming.
“Those Heavenly Sword Hall bastards were confidently wagering their monthly stipends on the Prosperous Star Sword's victory.”
“So there was a reason for that.”
“Damn it. I never thought I'd lose my first bet so quickly!”
The spectators turned their eyes toward Gong Junam and the other Heavenly Sword Hall veterans.
“As expected of Young Hero Namgung! What a satisfying match!”
Heo Il raised his voice proudly, while Gong Junam silently nodded, as though he had witnessed exactly the kind of heavy-sword technique he wished to see.
The other members of the Heavenly Sword Hall laughed as well.
Winning their wagers had evidently put them in high spirits.
“I'll win too! Just watch me!”
Meanwhile, Man Yewon clenched both fists and shouted energetically.
Not a single member of the Heavenly Sword Hall paid her any attention.
Everyone's focus remained fixed on Namgung Jun.
The contest continued at a rapid pace.
Under Jegal Muran's direction, the matches proceeded one after another, and before long it was Heo Il's turn.
He glanced at his slightly trembling right hand before raising a gourd to his lips.
After taking several swallows of liquor, the trembling gradually subsided.
“So it's finally my turn.”
Heo Il gently stroked the hilt of his new sword.
Ordinarily, he would still have been adapting to the weapon, but that was no longer necessary.
It fits perfectly in my hand.
Perhaps it was because of the enlightenment he had gained during the spar the previous night.
After a good night's sleep, the sword felt as though he had used it for years.
The entire adaptation process seemed to have vanished overnight.
As his hand naturally settled around the hilt, confidence appeared on Heo Il's face.
Rising to his feet, he looked toward one corner of the Grand Training Ground.
The contestants who had already finished their matches were gathered there, regulating their breathing and recovering.
Man Yewon was among them.
She had won her match as well, but only by a razor-thin margin.
Judging by her appearance, she had suffered considerable internal injuries in the process.
No matter how talented she is, it wouldn't be easy.
Her opponent had been one of the elite disciples representing the Ten Halls.
There were no ordinary talents among them.
Moreover, their extensive experience from countless missions made them even more formidable.
The fact that she had managed to win at all was impressive.
But Heo Il had no intention of being satisfied with a mere victory.
The reason was simple.
His next opponent was someone with whom he shared a deep connection.
Because of that, he found himself drinking a few more mouthfuls than usual.
His emotions were complicated in more ways than one.
This is a place where I must prove myself to many people.
Thinking of his opponent caused Heo Il's eyes to darken slightly.
A shade of inner conflict spread through them like black ink.
Even so, his voice remained confident.
“Young Hero Namgung. I will show everyone properly today.”
“I look forward to it.”
With lively steps, Heo Il descended toward the arena.
His opponent was already waiting atop the stage.
The moment he saw him, Heo Il's smile deepened.
It was not a smile of pleasure.
Rather, it was a brighter smile meant to conceal his true emotions.
“It has been a long time.”
After taking a breath, Heo Il continued.
“Senior Brother Hong Jun.”
“It has indeed.”
Hong Jun was wrapped in dark clothing from head to toe, with only his eyes visible.
Even the sword scabbards hanging at his waist had been painted black.
He looked exactly like an assassin.
It was the common appearance of those from the Shadow Life Hall.
The dark eyes faintly visible through his mask slowly swept over Heo Il.
“You've made some progress, but it remains within my expectations.”
“Is that so?”
A faint crease appeared on the mask covering Hong Jun's face.
“Just as I thought, you belong in the Shadow Life Hall, not the Heavenly Sword Hall. Considering the unique martial art we inherited, even more so.”
“Enough. To me, that martial art is nothing more than a miscellaneous skill.”
“Your title is Brushstroke Sword, yet you say something like that?”
The smile on Heo Il's face instantly turned dry.
“You've become rather talkative since we last met, Senior Brother.”
“Perhaps that's what happens when one sees his junior brother again after so long.”
With that, the conversation between senior and junior abruptly ended.
The clear metallic ring of Jegal Muran's iron fan echoed through the arena, signaling the start of the match.
“Come.”
Rather than continue talking, Heo Il slowly drew his sword.
Hong Jun quietly observed Heo Il's scar-covered right hand before placing his own hands on the hilts at his waist.
The twin blades he gradually revealed were entirely black.
The weapons of a professional assassin.
Jeeong!
The senior and junior disciples glared at one another before instantly closing the distance between them.
Three swords collided, tracing deadly paths through the air.
Cha-cha-cha-chaeng!
Both men specialized in fast swordsmanship.
Their three blades flashed like streaks of white light, shredding the air countless times.
Sparks flew violently, but neither swordsman was touched.
Each immediately employed elusive footwork and widened the distance.
Their movement techniques were completely identical.
Watching the match, Namgung Jun asked,
“Senior Heo had a senior brother?”
“Mm. Heo Il and Hong Jun entered the Azure Sky Society together.”
Gong Junam paused briefly before continuing.
“Very few people within the Society know about it. Had this match not happened today, most would never have learned. It would be better to hear the details from Heo Il himself.”
Namgung Jun silently nodded and continued watching.
For the first five exchanges, the two appeared evenly matched.
Gradually, however, the initiative shifted into Hong Jun's hands.
Hong Jun's unique martial art complements the Shadow Life Hall's assassin techniques remarkably well.
At first glance, it seemed the two men might both have come from an assassin background.
Yet after watching several more exchanges, Namgung Jun wasn't so sure.
The unique martial art Hong Jun occasionally displayed resembled assassin arts, but its essence was clearly different.
What is it? Considering the stealthy movement technique, the incredible speed, and the various hand techniques... a thief?
At that moment, Hong Jun's twin swords violently forced Heo Il backward while targeting multiple vital points.
Hong Jun's movements were unquestionably a level above Heo Il's.
As a result, the dazzling and deadly techniques unique to twin swords became even more dangerous.
Every time the black blades flashed, Heo Il was forced to retreat.
“Look, Junior Brother. You're completely failing to utilize the strengths of your original martial art.”
Deflecting a thrust aimed at his shoulder, Hong Jun lashed out with his right leg like a whip.
Thud!
The kick struck Heo Il squarely in the abdomen.
“What if you had remained Heo Il of the Shadow Life Hall?”
Heo Il's eyebrow twitched as he staggered backward.
Hong Jun immediately bent his knees and sprang forward.
Chae-aeng!
The twin swords descended like the fangs of a predator.
Barely managing to block by turning his blade sideways, Heo Il stepped back with his left foot and suddenly threw a dagger from his sleeve.
One of his specialties.
Hidden weapons.
Yet Hong Jun already had three large needles pinched between his fingers.
Despite wielding twin swords and having little freedom in his hands, the motion was perfectly natural.
His mastery of hidden weapons was exceptional.
“You dismissed those skills as mere tricks, yet when cornered, you still resort to them.”
“Is that so? I merely wished to demonstrate my state of mind.”
“Your state of mind?”
“Had I walked the same path as you, Senior Brother, this would be my limit.”
Chaeng!
The dagger and needles collided in midair and embedded themselves into the ground.
At the same time, Hong Jun's and Heo Il's feet tangled together.
Hong Jun crossed his twin swords diagonally, blocking the downward strike Heo Il brought crashing down upon him.
The blades scraped against one another, both swords crying out in protest.
Meanwhile, the eyes of senior and junior met fiercely.
“Senior Brother. Let me show you the Heo Il of the Heavenly Sword Hall.”
“You've learned some strange arrogance in the Heavenly Sword Hall.”
“It is something entirely different. An achievement I could never have attained elsewhere.”
Relaxing his arms, Heo Il lightly retreated.
He appeared to be trying to establish a certain distance, but Hong Jun had no intention of allowing it.
Immediately stepping forward, he closed the gap and attempted to force the battle into a range favorable for twin swords.
A grin appeared on Heo Il's lips.
He kicked off the ground as well.
He's approaching instead?
Hong Jun was puzzled.
Considering the length of Heo Il's sword, he should have retreated at least three more steps.
Did those few words really shake your heart so much?
His gaze grew colder as he slashed diagonally with both swords.
Since they knew each other's footwork so well, the battle for positional advantage became especially fierce.
Then, as they both took their fifth step—
Hong Jun's eyes narrowed.
Hm?
Something was strange about Heo Il's footwork.
He moved through impossibly narrow spaces, like a tightrope walker.
The sequence of his steps had changed.
And together with that change, his sword became sharper.
At the precise moment the distance expanded and loosened—
A lightning-fast thrust connected the space between them.
Kkeogeogeok!
His movements changed this drastically all of a sudden?
Hong Jun barely managed to block five consecutive thrusts.
His eyes widened slightly.
The harmony between Heo Il's footwork and swordsmanship had suddenly evolved, as if he had been concealing his true ability until now.
Rung!
Heo Il stomped to the left.
That very position was where Hong Jun should have planted his own right foot half a breath later.
For a brief instant, Hong Jun hesitated.
At that moment, Heo Il's sword released a pale flash.
Jjeoeoong!
A diagonal thrust rising from the side struck Hong Jun's twin swords one after another, knocking them away.
The entire flow of the battle had reversed in merely five exchanges.
Heo Il lowered his sword and looked at Hong Jun, who stared back in surprise.
“The Heo Il of the Heavenly Sword Hall will continue to grow stronger. Just like this.”
The situation had been overturned completely.
Heo Il had fused Namgung Jun's guidance and the enlightenment gained from their spar the previous night into a single step and a single sword strike.
Namgung Jun had been the catalyst.
But had Heo Il's understanding of the sword, honed over many years in the Heavenly Sword Hall, lacked depth, he never would have achieved that enlightenment.
He had proven something.
He had shown everyone exactly what kind of martial artist Heo Il was.
“I will not rely upon the unique martial art we learned from that man as you do, Senior Brother. I will live by the sword of the Heavenly Sword Hall—by my own sword.”
Hong Jun stared at him for a long moment before speaking.
“So in the end, you've chosen to walk your own martial path? That is the more difficult road. When it comes to revenge, the means are unimportant.”
“Of course I do not believe your path is wrong, Senior Brother. It is simply different.”
Hong Jun glanced at the twin swords lying on the ground before giving a small nod.
“Yes. Our paths are different. But our destination is probably the same.”
“Exactly. Do we not share the same goal?”
Picking up his twin swords, Hong Jun slightly turned his head.
His gaze landed on Namgung Jun and the members of the Heavenly Sword Hall.
“What I said before was never meant to belittle the Heavenly Sword Hall. If it caused offense, then I apologize.”
Though his words were directed toward Heo Il, they were also meant for the Heavenly Sword Hall disciples watching the match.
Realizing this, Heo Il smiled brightly.
For the first time that day, it was a genuine smile.
“I know that was never your intention.”
Watching that smile, Hong Jun let out a bitter chuckle and turned away.
Thus ended the duel between two brothers who had never quite learned how to express themselves to one another.