798 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Translated and Implemented Instructions --- 798th Chapter of "Childhood Friend of the Zenith" (798/820) Clang— On the duel stage not yet cleared, a man places his hand on his sword. A single sword tied to his waist. It was his beloved weapon, an exquisite blade known as the Euna Jeolgeom (은아절검), a famed sword crafted long ago in the Tang Clan. If one were to enumerate beautiful swords, it would be counted on one hand. The martial artist's swordsmanship, as beautiful as the sword itself, had also gained widespread fame. Srrrip— The Euna Jeolgeom slid out of its scabbard, revealing its lovely blade to the world. "Oh..." "Wow..." As if to prove that its fame was no falsehood, the onlookers expressed their admiration. Moreover, what aura it exuded. "So, this is the leader of the Alliance." From below the duel stage, Yeol Tu Jeon Geom muttered under his breath. The sword-wielder's fierce Qi dominated the area. Arrogance, felt according to one's level, transformed into humility in an instant. Hiding his cold sweat, Yeol Tu Jeon Geom gazed at the man holding the sword. "A master." Though he possessed a prowess that bowed to none, it felt insignificant before this foe. One of the swords leading the main force of the Murim Alliance. A combat unit against demon beasts. The Iron Dragon Unit's leader. The Hidden Wave Sword (Eunranggeom). As he took up his sword, silence fell all around. One of the Hundred Grandmasters in Central Plains. Even reaching the Fusion Realm known as the supreme level, one could only attain this status after reaching a certain standard. Excepting the late Wind Dragon Leader, the leaders of the orthodox faction were all among the Hundred Grandmasters. The same was true for the Hidden Wave Sword. The Hundred Grandmasters is a place often described as the dream of martial artists. Reaching there grants an absolute position, one desired by all. Moreover... "Haah... Such force." "How can it be so sharp...!!" Ultimately, only with skill can one attain that position. On the duel stage, the Hidden Wave Sword clearly demonstrated this. He showed he was a grandmaster and had reached the Fusion Realm. Rumble—!!! An eerie intent emanating from a leader-level martial artist. It engulfed the expanse of the duel stage, certainly not narrow. As the air pressed heavily down, those nearby frowned. The suffocating sensation constricted their bodies. Observing this, Yeol Tu Jeon Geom swallowed dryly. "...Truly, is this alright?" Was this situation really acceptable? Yeol Tu Jeon Geom glanced somewhere with trembling eyes. To the judging table, smashed into pieces, leaving only a solitary chair. A young man sat there quietly, watching the duel stage. "Star King..." Star King (Seongwang / 성왕) Gu Yangcheon. Yeol Tu Jeon Geom pondered, looking at the one who orchestrated this situation. "Is there truly a purpose behind this?" Of course, the answer remained unspoken in his heart. --- Wooong. Ssss—!! The sword's vibrant cry and spreading energy. In the swirling vortex of power mixed therein, the Hidden Wave Sword slowly opened his eyes. "...Hmm." He exhaled lightly, visibly discomforted. Indeed, the situation was greatly displeasing to the Hidden Wave Sword. "Truly, it's infuriating." To stand on the duel stage, under so many scrutinizing gazes. To draw the sword he wished never to unsheathe. Even the opponent he faced with the drawn sword. None of it pleased him. With eyes covered in discomfort, he looked straight ahead. There stood a woman. Greenish hair and brilliant blue eyes, dressed in dark blue garments—a beauty of extraordinary magnitude. Even for the well-seasoned Hidden Wave Sword, her looks continually captured attention. Nicknamed the Sword Dance Maiden, she emerged in a friendly martial arts tournament years ago, making her mark as one of the Young Prodigies (후기지수). Reputedly, her sword dance resembled a dance itself, boasting such exceptional beauty that she earned her moniker. Recalling this, the Hidden Wave Sword nodded. "Indeed." It was not a title for an ordinary Young Prodigy, he thought as his perception shifted upon seeing her. "Strong." He realized it at a glance. The woman before him was remarkably powerful, even to the Hidden Wave Sword's eyes. For a Young Prodigy, she was exceedingly strong. Perhaps. "Could I be witnessing the next Sword Queen?" Even without crossing swords, he could tell. A likely candidate to succeed the Plum Blossom Sword Queen through the ages. The Hidden Wave Sword thought the Sword Dance Maiden possessed such worth. It was certainly absurd. "They called it the Generation of Shooting Stars." Shin Ryong and the Flash Sword, successor of the Sword Lord, likewise. All were excessively powerful to simply be labeled Young Prodigies. "And among them, the most peculiar existence." The Hidden Wave Sword turned his head to glance aside. There sat the instigator of this farcical situation, the true monster dubbed the representative of the Generation of Shooting Stars. "Star King." Master of stars... Confirmed as the greatest within the throng of geniuses. Star King Gu Yangcheon. He was watching him. Grind— Feeling his gaze, the Hidden Wave Sword gritted his teeth. The look of interest did not sit well with him. No matter how high he was regarded, the Hidden Wave Sword thought him akin to a child. A youngling among the Young Prodigies. "Such a monstrous fellow..." Gazing at such a one, the Hidden Wave Sword trembled. His status as the youngest king didn't matter. Many questioned the Star King's skills, and even the Hidden Wave Sword couldn't entirely believe it. Though he was not one to recklessly deny, like the Dual Righteous Illusion Sword. For it was said, not any less, that he had thrashed the Blade King as if catching a mouse. The claims were passed among hundreds, and upon hearing them, the Hidden Wave Sword pondered. "If it were me." For himself. Could he have thrashed the Blade King like a mouse? "..." Inwardly, the Hidden Wave Sword shook his head. He had confidence in victory. The Hidden Wave Sword was sure he could defeat the Blade King. Yet, if a flawless victory was discussed, that remained uncertain. It wasn't just the Hidden Wave Sword. Including all leaders, only two could comprehensively defeat the Blade King. The Sword Emperor, the guardian leader. The Azure Dragon Leader, One Azure Sword. Only those two individuals. "Yet, the Star King accomplished it." Meaning, "Is the Star King no less than One Azure Sword?" Translated and Implemented Instructions --- It was unbelievable. That young brat, approaching the level of the Ten Great Masters, comparable to the One Azure Sword? It was truly absurd. "…" Yet, the Hidden Wave Sword (Eunranggeom / 은랑검) did not voice further denial. Such was reality. No matter the denial apart from himself, reality remained unchanged. The Hidden Wave Sword furrowed his brows as he observed the Star King. The brat, reclined with his hand on his chin, gazed silently in this direction. Even when trying to discern his energy, it remained imperceptible. Implying he was, at the very least, on par with himself. "Blast it." Feeling this, the Hidden Wave Sword grimaced. Not only had an unknown snot-nosed kid shown up suddenly to occupy a leader's position, but he was also looking down on them, provoking them. From the Hidden Wave Sword's perspective, it was infuriating. And even now, it was the same. "To think I must engage in such nonsense." Though he stood with his sword drawn, exuding his aura, it felt utterly absurd. Beyond that, it was downright laughable. "Sigh…." He himself. The Iron Dragon Leader, Hidden Wave Sword. Was playing along with the childish antics of that mere pup, pulling his sword, no less. - "How about a wager with me?" The Star King had smiled as he spoke to the Hidden Wave Sword, proposing a wager. If the Hidden Wave Sword were to win the wager, he would receive the entire Star Dragon Unit. Moreover. "Hah, wasn't it something about licking his feet?" Disgusting as it was, it was a tempting offer. Thus, it went. - "…Alright, I'll listen." He inadvertently agreed to hear what the wager entailed. - "Oh? Really?" The Star King smiled as though he had anticipated this. - "Then please have a spar with her." - "What?" Motioning toward the duel stage as he spoke. The Hidden Wave Sword followed his gesture, only for his expression to twist. - "You mean the Heat Battle Sword (Yeol Tu Jeon Geom / 열투전검)..?" The Heat Battle Sword. A renowned swordsman, expected to reach the Fusion Realm soon. Was he suggesting a spar with him? The Hidden Wave Sword looked at the Star King with a quizzical expression. - "No? Her, next to him." - "…Next to him..." Surely not. - "…You mean the Sword Dance Maiden?" - "Yes." The Star King wanted him to spar with the Sword Dance Maiden. Hearing this, the Hidden Wave Sword's face contorted further. - "Star King, are you in your right mind?" - "Why? You don’t want to?" - "This is an insult." Rather than with the Heat Battle Sword, a spar with a mere Young Prodigy. Moreover, not even with the newly confirmed Fusion Realm Shin Ryong or the expected successor to the Sword Lord. Instead, being told to fight the Sword Dance Maiden. This could only come from disdain for him. The Hidden Wave Sword, feeling insulted, was about to speak when the Star King interrupted. - "Then don’t do it if you don’t want to. Just sit there quietly if you prefer." - "Star King." - "If you don't want to do it, then don’t. Did I say you must fight? I'm simply trying to prove something." The Star King pointed decisively at the Sword Dance Maiden. - "That your ignorant assumption that she’s not up to standard is wrong. I intend to stake my pride on it to show you." - "…Ha." Only then did the Hidden Wave Sword realize. This situation arose because of something he had said to the Star King. - "If you dislike it, leave it be. Just shut your mouth and sit there." - "…." Listening, the Hidden Wave Sword slightly relaxed his eyes and spoke to him. - "You will regret this." - "I'll take care of that." - "I heard that young woman is your fiancée, Star King. And yet, you'll insist on pressing forward?" - "You do speak a lot. So, will you do it or not?" - "…." A moment of silence passed. Countless thoughts emerged, but in the end, what lingered with the Hidden Wave Sword was the Star King's mention of granting him the Star Dragon Unit. He didn’t truly believe he could acquire the Star Dragon Unit. But. "Even so, it serves as enough of a justification." The Star King's words and the unfolding situation. The result to be gained thereby. There was no loss evident; that is, provided he won the wager. - "If you mean a spar, surely winning isn't the sole objective. What approach do you propose?" - "Do as you wish." - "Huh?" Do as he pleases? - "So, winning the spar suffices?" - "That's for you to decide, senior." "…" What on earth was his intention? Did he truly believe the Sword Dance Maiden could win? In that case, perhaps the Star King mistakenly thought everyone else as monstrous as he was. No matter. The more boastful the opponent, the better. Yet. One question remained unasked. - "Star King." - "Yes." - "I’ve heard your part. Now, what would I lose should I fail this wager?" With a wager, something must be at stake for both parties. Since the Star King offered such, surely he too had something to lose. With this in mind, he asked. - "Ah, that. That matter." Hearing this, the Star King replied with a smile. "…" Upon hearing it, the Hidden Wave Sword made his choice. This was the result of that choice. "Miss." "…?" At the call, Namgung Bi-ah lifted her head, looking at the Hidden Wave Sword. Such pretty eyes. That thought flashed through his mind unbidden. "I bear no ill will towards you, truly. Especially given my acquaintance with your father.” The Sword Dance Maiden's father was the Sword King of the Namgung family. Although not a profound connection, the Hidden Wave Sword was acquainted with him. "So, if you’ll just—" Srrrip-! "…!" The sound reverberated as the Hidden Wave Sword widened his eyes. He had spoken with concern, offering to stop now. Namgung Bi-ah responded by drawing her sword. The Hidden Wave Sword inquired upon seeing this. "Are you truly intending to spar with me...?" "…" "...Leaving aside the Star King. Do you truly believe you can prevail against me?" The Sword Dance Maiden was strong. As mentioned earlier, it was a level the Hidden Wave Sword could clearly discern. However, strong as she was, she wasn’t stronger than he. The Hidden Wave Sword comprehended her level distinctly. Remarkable, but that was it. Yet to reach his level. That was the Hidden Wave Sword's assessment. "What on earth is this folly...?" Were this pair, a man and woman, truly choosing to disregard him so? Grind—!! The Hidden Wave Sword clenched his fist tightly. "Very well." Indeed, let’s see what you've got. Translated and Implemented Instructions --- Though he couldn't grasp what the Star King intended to show, having come this far, there was no backing down. Thus, he too would merely display what he had. With a low, resonant hum, the Euna Jeolgeom emitted its sword cry. "Before the spar, I will grant you a three-second advantage." "…" "Come forth." A concession of three seconds. The Hidden Wave Sword declared with a low ambiance. Those words sparkled interest in everyone watching. Precisely three seconds. The Hidden Wave Sword planned to grant three seconds and strike on the fourth move. To conclude this ludicrous duel thus, he thought in the moment. "Three seconds?" Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head slightly, asking. "Yes, three—" Whish—! Suddenly, Namgung Bi-ah began to swing her sword. Once, just now. Swish—! A second time followed. Swish—! And then a third. Having swung her sword thrice in total, Namgung Bi-ah wore her characteristic expression as she gazed at the Hidden Wave Sword. "Three seconds." Her calm declaration left onlookers covering their mouths. "...This...!!" Grit. The Hidden Wave Sword's face flushed with anger. Ready to burst out in rage. "Even when I generously offer consideration, you—!" Thud. "...!?" Yet, the words of the Hidden Wave Sword were swiftly cut short. A chilling sensation touched his neck. A blade was pressed against his skin. "Concession?" Hearing the voice, the Hidden Wave Sword lowered his gaze. The once distant voice now echoed right before him. An elegant floral scent wafted by. Silky white hair swayed gently. At the same time. "...Who...?" Namgung Bi-ah whispered softly to the Hidden Wave Sword.