888 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Episode 888 - The Childhood Friend of the World's Greatest Rumble---!!! “Ugh!” “…This…this can't be!” In an instant, the air shifted. The intense heat made the warriors of the Great Alliance clutch their chests. It wasn't just the heat. Pressure vibrated in all directions. The air felt heavy. Breathing alone was exhausting. Those at the pinnacle of their abilities barely held on. “Grkk…” “Urghh…” Those beneath them foamed at the mouth and collapsed. Their spirits couldn't withstand it. Moreover, the intensity continued to strengthen. The heat and pressure climbed relentlessly. Soon, someone might be crushed to death by the pressure. “Star King.” Creak-! It was then that the Sword Emperor spoke out, gripping his sword. Hum----!! The sword began to resonate. Emitting a deep vibration, the sword wailed. The resonance started to push the pressure back. The energy of the Sword Emperor and Gu Yangcheon clashed with each other. Squeal---!!! Vast auras collided, distorting the air. Neither side gave an inch. And in other words— “…The Star Dragon Lord is not backing down against the Guardian Lord?” “Impossible—!” It suggested that Gu Yangcheon was an equal match to the Sword Emperor. The youngest king. A future world's greatest. Among many names, Gu Yangcheon was hailed as such, but the Sword Emperor was no different. If anything, the Sword Emperor had many more accolades. A guardian of the Martial Alliance and ranked among the upper ten masters. Moreover, he's considered the closest to the Triumvirate alongside Plum Lotus. From these alone, the worth and strength the Sword Emperor possessed was clear. “That the Star King isn't backing down against such a Sword Emperor…?” It was indeed an unbelievable sight. If only heard through words, it would've surely seemed so. “Really…. It's true.” In reality, what Gu Yangcheon displayed proved it. Flames danced around, emitting intense heat. It was so hot that it felt like the height of summer, with nearby weeds igniting and asserting their presence. Getting too close meant death by fire. Everyone instinctively understood this. Hence, no one dared to approach. “Star King.” The Sword Emperor called out to Gu Yangcheon again. He furrowed his brow and smiled in return. With the smile, an overwhelming aura emanated from him. Sensing it, the Sword Emperor furrowed his brow this time. ‘It's hot.’ Even the aura felt scorching. Heat clung to his energy-covered body. How could Gu Yangcheon be here? While pushing back his energy, the Sword Emperor pondered. ‘He should be in Sichuan.’ He was known to be in Sichuan until a few days ago, so what had occurred for him to appear now? When did he return? ‘Did he come after hearing news of his father?’ That would make sense given the circumstances, but it was hard to believe. When did he acquire the information, and when could that information have been sent through a courier hawk? No matter how he calculated, the timing of Gu Yangcheon's arrival was baffling. ‘Did he arrive in just a few days?’ It was possible. Perhaps if he used every ounce of strength to traverse only through his prowess. ‘In that case, he should be mostly drained of energy.’ Yet, even after such a journey, he had the capacity to emanate such an aura? The Sword Emperor couldn't comprehend it. “Why so silent?” “…" At the words, the Sword Emperor tightened his grip. Hum---!!! The sword's resonance grew stronger. “If you've called, speak. You seem to have something to say.” “Do you forget where you are?” “I haven't forgotten. This is the Martial Alliance, isn't it?” “Knowing that, what is this recklessness?” “Didn't I make it clear?” Gu Yangcheon narrowed his eyes. In that instant, the aura slightly diminished. Is he lacking strength? No. Even then, the Sword Emperor didn't let his guard down. “I asked you to answer my question correctly. But when you don't, I have to make efforts to get that answer.” Efforts? About to address that, the Sword Emperor— “Then, entertain me for a moment.” Had to raise his sword before uttering a word. He twisted the blade to the left. At that moment— Boom-!! “…!” An immense impact crashed onto the sword. It was Gu Yangcheon's foot. For a brief second, he lost track of his presence. The Sword Emperor calmed his breathing, turning his body. He deflected the foot with the blade and immediately summoned his energy. Seeing this, Gu Yangcheon propelled flames into the air. Boom---!!! The flames burst, launching Gu Yangcheon into the air. Swish-! The sword slashed through the flames. Had he been slightly slower, Gu Yangcheon would have been cut. Yet, the Sword Emperor wasn't disappointed. ‘He anticipated it.’ That fleeting moment was something Gu Yangcheon orchestrated, not a mere lapse of judgment. The exchange sufficed. ‘We're equal.’ From that exchange, the Sword Emperor confirmed that Gu Yangcheon was his equal. The shock was overwhelming. How could such a young one be his equal? Even such questions seemed pointless. There was no time to be swayed by such thoughts. Ring—! The sword's cry reverberated. The Mountain-Cleaving Five Swords. The Sword Emperor's exclusive technique unfolded from the sword's tip. A lowly executed sword stroke tore through the air. Boom--!! Was it an attack? No. That single stroke dispelled the oppressive aura surrounding him. Only then did the martial artists gasp and release their breaths. The sword. Slash---!!! The second sword strike soared into the sky. The size of the projected sword energy was enormous. Gu Yangcheon extended a fist. Whoosh---!!!! Fiery Devourer of Beasts. A beast-like flame clashed with the sword energy. Boom---!!! Like a burst of fireworks, light spread across the sky. As the dispersed light filled the air, Gu Yangcheon's gaze moved swiftly. ‘Third sword.’ “Tsk.” He twisted his body left and reached out. Thud-! The blade had flown silently, attempting to strike him. Tweaking the angle, he deflected the energy to the ground. Boom--!! On the ground, a deep, long sword mark was etched in a straight line. ‘What a stubborn old man.’ A light smile formed on his lips. He had heard that the Sword Emperor's strikes were more coarse and heavy than refined, and it indeed proved true. It was incredibly weighty. And it wasn’t over yet. Fourth strike. Even though the attack hadn't succeeded, it wasn't over. He gathered energy around his body and concentrated power into his heart simultaneously. Flaming Storm Wheel. Blue flames erupted from his body. While the heat contained power, it also served to obscure vision. Shiiiiing---!!!! Whoooosh---!! Like a sudden storm, the intense pressure roared. The moment the previous strike passed, another sound was heard. An incredible speed. Thanks to the flames, the blow didn’t land. He managed to deflect even the fourth strike. Yet. ‘Not yet.’ The Mountain-Cleaving Five Swords comprised five strikes. In truth, it existed for the sake of the final, conclusive blow. ‘From the start, the first four are just a prelude.’ It was meant to gradually build up energy and power, which would then explode in the final strike. “Phew.” The Sword Emperor held his sword steadily, as if to prove it. ‘So he doesn’t care even if it’s in mid-air.’ A battle with no footing. For a swordsman, it was inherently a disadvantageous environment where power would be limited. Yet, the Sword Emperor seemed unfazed, merely moving his sword. Aimed at cleaving Gu Yangcheon. Or should it even be called cleaving? Watching the sword's movement, Gu Yangcheon frowned. ‘That's more akin to crushing.’ Even in brute force, was there ever such brute force? Neither Tang Deok nor the Poison King fought like that. The Sword Emperor was far more aggressive. ‘The unyielding guardian of the Great Alliance.’ He was said to be like Mount Tai itself, and seeing him like this, one could understand why. However. Clang---!!! “--!!” Gu Yangcheon raised his arm to block the Sword Emperor's fifth strike. He had merely lifted his forearm. Yet, his arm wasn't cut, and the sword halted. “How…!” Even the renowned Sword Emperor was wide-eyed in astonishment. And rightfully so. ‘I have my own methods.’ His arm was enveloped in Absolute Toughness. It promised invulnerability. And in this moment, that trait was uncannily useful. Moreover. Swirr-! The Absolute Toughness unwound from his forearm, binding the Sword Emperor's sword. “…I see.” The Sword Emperor tried to immediately withdraw his sword upon seeing the situation, but it wouldn’t budge. It was bound. Realizing this, Gu Yangcheon spread his palm. Whoosh---!!! Heat gathered into it, forming a Flame Sphere. Without hesitation, he thrust the Flame Sphere at the Sword Emperor. Boom-! And with a slight tremor. BOOOOM---!!! The Flame Sphere erupted in an explosion. ******************* Crackle--!! Embers fell from the sky to the ground. Despite the heat still lingering, it didn’t set the floor ablaze. Because the one who cast it did not desire that outcome. “...” As he landed softly on the ground, his eyes scanned his surroundings. People stared at him, their expressions filled with shock. The attention was uncomfortable, yet he paid it little mind. Throb-! ‘Damn it.’ Pain throbbed in his arm. It was the arm that had blocked the Sword Emperor's final strike. Thanks to Absolute Toughness, he successfully defended, but it didn’t absorb all the impact. Still, it wasn’t to the extent of hindering movement. Perhaps just minor fractures. He shook his hand, peering ahead. Tap. Like himself, another figure landed on the ground. It was the Sword Emperor. “Cough.” The Sword Emperor coughed, spitting out blood. There wasn’t much of it. ‘What a pity.’ Had it hit directly, it would have ended him. But the Sword Emperor didn’t take the full brunt of his attack. ‘He let go at the last moment.’ Just before the Flame Sphere could land, the Sword Emperor had released his sword. That was my mistake. ‘I should have secured his arm.’ The shock to his arm was greater than he anticipated, clouding his judgment briefly. The Sword Emperor wiped the blood from his lips, glaring at him. The aura in his gaze was unsettling. “Do you really intend to commit such a mistake?” The Sword Emperor spoke. “Mistake?” “You've crossed a line. If it comes to this, the Alliance will have no choice but to consider you an enemy. Have you not thought that through?” “Of course, I have.” Why wouldn't I have considered it? I've thought about it thoroughly. After giving it thought, I simply made a decision. “I did think it through.” He drew his energy over his body. “And concluded that it doesn't matter much.” “What did you say?” “The Alliance, or whatever it is you call it, doesn't concern me.” Whooosh-!! The gathered flames began to take shape. What materialized was a Holy Spear. “So, answer me if you don't want to make me your enemy.” “…Such arrogance.” “I hear that often.” He aimed the Holy Spear at the Sword Emperor. Now he could maintain it without needing to bolster it with his spirit. “Where is my father?” “The current head master is a criminal.” “Yes, so I've heard.” Damn it. “Having committed a crime and being imprisoned in the Alliance, do you think your actions would help him?” “No, it probably wouldn’t help at all.” “…What?” The confident response left the Sword Emperor bewildered for a moment. If his father were a criminal, it would be so. Causing a ruckus only brought loss, no gain. For his father, and for their household. But. “If my father were truly guilty, then yes, it would be.” In my belief. “My father isn't the type to commit crimes.” Father wasn’t someone who would commit any wrongdoing. “So, cut the crap.” He infused more flames into the Holy Spear. Its size and density continued to grow. “Whether you try to pull some bullshit play or scheme in the background, I might let it slide at times. But this is too much.” “Star King.” “There are things you shouldn’t mess with. But you think I'm scared of the Martial Alliance?” He smirked. “If I feared that, I wouldn’t have come.” “...” He put strength into his legs. His foot dug into the ground. “You're relentless.” The Sword Emperor’s gaze turned cold. The atmosphere shifted dramatically. “From now on, the Star King will be considered an enemy of the Alliance.” A chill brushed against his skin. Had he been treated as an ally until now? No wonder it seemed so easy. “The Martial Alliance declares the enemy must be executed on the spot.” “Go ahead,” he replied. As the killing intent enveloped him, he hurled the Holy Spear. Whoosh---!!! The spear ripped through the air, flying toward the Sword Emperor. In response, the Sword Emperor raised his sword. Though his original sword was cast aside on the ground, he always carried a backup. Mountain-Cleaving Five Swords. Secret Technique. Mountain Spirit Slash. The Sword Emperor's sword began to emit light. Just before the energies could clash— Swoosh-. A golden aura slipped in between them from somewhere. Then. Clang-! With a subtle sound, a change occurred. The spear shifted its path, ascending into the sky. The Sword Emperor’s sword couldn’t follow through. It was because someone had stepped on the blade, preventing the Sword Emperor from swinging it. It must have been this person who altered the spear's trajectory as well. Someone interrupted and thwarted the attack. He narrowed his eyes, staring at the interloper. “…What’s this?” The interloper, a masked figure, was cloaked in a golden aura around their feet and sword. He knew who it was. ‘Shin Ryong Lord.’ The newly established leader of the Divine Dragon Division. It was him who stopped both Gu Yangcheon and the Sword Emperor.