799 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Translated and Implemented Instructions --- The world's greatest swordsman's childhood friend (천하제일인의 소꿉친구) Chapter 799 (799/820) Drip. Blood trickled from the spot where the sword’s edge grazed his neck. In that precarious moment, conscious of even the slightest movement for fear of being cut further, the body of the Hidden Wave Sword (은랑검) tensed as he felt the trickling blood and cold sweat. How in the world did it come to this? Forcing his trembling gaze downward, he looked at the woman before him. The woman brandishing the sword at his neck. Sword Dancer Namgung Bi-ah (검무희 남궁비아). Watching her, the brow of the Hidden Wave Sword gradually furrowed. 'How.' How did this happen? When did she get this close? Moments ago, she had been far away. Yet, in the blink of an eye, she'd closed the distance and was right before him. It was an impossible feat. '...Did I fail to notice her?' Had he truly not perceived her approach until she was so close? Did this mean her martial level was that much higher? 'That cannot be.' The Hidden Wave Sword dismissed the thought directly. Nothing had changed. He could still gauge the level of Sword Dancer Namgung Bi-ah perfectly. She could not defeat him. Therefore, not noticing her was an implausible situation. 'What trick did she use?' She must have employed some technique. Otherwise, it would be illogical. Was it some kind of uncanny sorcery? As all these thoughts raced through his mind... Swish-. The sword edge that had touched his neck began to withdraw slowly. Whirr-! Clink-! Namgung Bi-ah lowered her sword and stepped back, maintaining the same distance as before. The exact amount of space as initially. Looking at the Hidden Wave Sword with the same expression she had when they first faced each other. That expressionless face made the Hidden Wave Sword bite his lips. He clutched his wounded neck with one hand and infused his internal energy (내기) to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding stopped as the energy seeped in, the Hidden Wave Sword could finally catch his breath. Moreover, the surroundings, once silent, began to regain their sounds slowly. “What… just happened?” “Did the Sword Dancer just defeat the Hidden Wave Sword?” “It happened so fast, I couldn’t see anything…” Their responses were uniformly dazed. How could it be otherwise? Even those who had witnessed the scene could scarcely believe what transpired. It was merely a moment. Not even deserving to be called a bout, just a flicker. There was no premonition or process to discern; suddenly all that remained was the outcome. The Hidden Wave Sword had exposed himself to Namgung Bi-ah. When the blade touches the neck, it is over. It’s an unspoken agreement known even to those who aren't martial artists. With the result as it was, might it not be that the Hidden Wave Sword had lost? Such thoughts appeared in everyone’s minds. “…What… are you doing?” Namgung Bi-ah suddenly spoke up. Her voice made the Hidden Wave Sword frown. “What did you say…?” “…Is it over?” “…!” The Hidden Wave Sword’s eyes widened slightly. He finally understood what Namgung Bi-ah meant. Is it over? Is there no more sparring? That was the implication behind her words. “Hah…” The Hidden Wave Sword let out a sigh. “Do you want to continue?” The victory had already been decided. Whether it was carelessness or trickery, too many witnessed the outcome. What would be the point of continuing? As the Hidden Wave Sword's thoughts reached this conclusion, Namgung Bi-ah quickly added, “…I haven’t… really started yet.” “…” The spar was not over. Hearing her, the Hidden Wave Sword brushed back his hair. The desire to spar more appeared strangely to him. Isn't it enough to have won? Yet, even as he thought that, he felt a sudden sense of absurdity about himself. He recalled the image of Namgung Bi-ah as she swung her sword thrice and questioned his concession. The stares continued. Within those intense gazes, the Hidden Wave Sword bit his lips. 'Damn it.' Something was horribly wrong. Realizing this, he raised his sword. “Miss.” At the Hidden Wave Sword's words, Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head. “First, I must offer my apologies. I have underestimated you, Miss.” He had no alternative but to accept the outcome, regardless of the method she used. He had underestimated the Sword Dancer and, as a result, exposed his neck. Additionally. “…Moreover, I am grateful for your teachings and leniency.” Woooong-! The Hidden Wave Sword's cherished weapon began to emit a low hum. “I humbly request one more opportunity.” “…” This time, he would not be caught off guard; he requested one more spar. Instead of replying verbally, Namgung Bi-ah responded by pointing her sword at the Hidden Wave Sword. Seeing her reaction, the Hidden Wave Sword glanced toward the location of the Star King (성왕). A spar for which a bet had been placed. It was good to receive another chance, but the Star King's response was crucial. Wouldn't he perhaps object to this? The Hidden Wave Sword cast a worrying glance, but the Star King merely observed him silently without uttering a word. Seeing this, the Hidden Wave Sword swallowed hard within. “…” Could they really fight again without any concerns? Did this imply that even if he wasn't careless, it would not be significantly problematic? 'That cannot be…' He thought it impossible, yet hesitated slightly. Not everything is as it seems. Hadn’t it been that way just now? Clang. Gripping his sword tightly, the Hidden Wave Sword held onto the tension. “Fuuu…” He steadied his breathing. Woooong-! Wooong-!! As the Hidden Wave Sword exhaled, the hum of his sword grew deeper. Swoosh—! At that moment, as the sword's edge filled with sword force (검강). Thud-! The Hidden Wave Sword moved. As he stepped forward, a flash of light flickered. A crescent-shaped sword aura. “…” Witnessing this, Namgung Bi-ah crouched a bit, gripping her sword tightly. Crackle-!! Lightning Qi surged and burst forth directly. Zzzt—!!! Boom-! Lightning Qi and the sword aura clashed, causing an explosion. Fragments of energy cascaded into the air, and amidst that gap, Namgung Bi-ah moved. Wooooong—!! Her sword howled ferociously. As she stepped forward, executing a motion imbued with the Lightning Qi-infused Dragon Step (창룡보), she swiftly reached the Hidden Wave Sword. Snap-! As she swung her sword, countless blue streaks lined up consecutively. Dozens of lines rained down toward the Hidden Wave Sword. “…” The Hidden Wave Sword did not evade. Translated and Implemented Instructions --- He just swung his sword along the visible lines. Clang. Gratitude Fang Sword Technique (은아검식 / 恩牙劍式). Sudden Flash and Melancholic Flow Technique (은섬비유연식 / 恩閃悲流聯式). With swift swordplay, he cut through all the oncoming lines of attack. Snap-! Crackle-!! It seemed that each strike was imbued with Lightning Qi. With every disruption, a tingling sensation brushed past him. After cutting through the final attack, the Hidden Wave Sword quickly retreated a step back. Namgung Bi-ah, focused intently, dashed toward him as if securing her footing lower. Her speed was astonishing. No, rather than it being purely speed... Rumble—!!! It felt more accurate to say that the pressure emanating from Namgung Bi-ah's body restrained the Hidden Wave Sword’s feet. 'Emperor's Sword Form!' Recalling the technique, the Hidden Wave Sword frowned. Though unsure initially due to its ambiguous aura, he now recognized it. The pressure holding his ankles was indeed the Emperor's Sword Form, a secret technique of the Namgung family. Namgung Bi-ah deliberately redirected his attention with lines of attack while subtly deploying the Emperor's Sword Form to go unnoticed. ‘Ha.’ Remarkable. He couldn’t help but be impressed. He was well aware of how challenging it was to utilize the Emperor's Sword Form. To perform it required both substantial internal energy and the power to maintain it. Thus, adjusting it without revealing it should be almost impossible. Yet this woman was not just maintaining it but manipulating it effortlessly. ‘Though she doesn’t primarily use the Emperor's Sword Form.’ Traditionally, the Namgung family wielded the power of the Emperor's Sword Form along with mastery in sword and Lightning Qi. Namgung Bi-ah seemed to focus solely on swordsmanship rather than that predominant form. If someone asked if that was a drawback... ‘…It’s dizzying.’ Evidently, that was not the case. Creak—!! The tip of the sword, which had gouged the ground, brushed against the Hidden Wave Sword's nose. Dodging the attack, the Hidden Wave Sword swiftly rotated backward, swinging his sword. Snap-!! Evading the sword strike, he found himself barraged from behind with Lightning Qi. It was impossible to discern when it had been shot. Having dispelled the Lightning Qi then... “Hoo-!” He took a deep breath and gripped his sword tightly. His heightened sense was already inundated with information. Namgung Bi-ah never allowed distance. Lightning Qi bombarded him from all four directions, while the Emperor's Sword Form bound his ankles. It was a complete predicament. Yet. ‘Indeed.’ Seeing this, the Hidden Wave Sword reaffirmed his belief. Namgung Bi-ah was strong. He could ascertain it more clearly through the battle. Given her skill, she might soon touch the Fusion Realm (화경) or perhaps she already was. It was undoubtedly an unbelievable level. ‘But for now.’ For now, he was still stronger. Crunch-!! Suddenly, the Hidden Wave Sword drove his sword into the ground amid the aggressively approaching swords and Lightning Qi. At that moment. Rumble—!!! Force erupted, sweeping across the surroundings. It was truly a vast amount of internal energy, indicating the enormity poured into it. The energy surged like a wave, devouring all the Lightning Qi and forming a mist-like veil that obfuscated the view. This was a type of domain. A domain forged by the Hidden Wave Sword. Within this mist-like energy, sensing energy became easier for him. Obstructing the opponent’s view while creating a favorable situation within it. This was a technique the Hidden Wave Sword had mastered upon reaching the Fusion Realm. He never imagined needing to use it openly before others, but here he was. “…” He immediately concealed his presence. In this state, the opponent would be unaware of his location. Though he couldn't see a foot ahead, the Hidden Wave Sword felt the surroundings clearly. Thus, it was easy for him to locate Namgung Bi-ah. She had stayed relatively in place. Swoosh. He gripped his sword and assumed a stance. A single strike. He intended to conclude the spar with this one blow. Moreover. ‘The bet shall be void.’ Despite everything, at this stage, he couldn’t quibble over the bet. As the opponent seemed to concede at points, he couldn’t challenge it either. Reasoning thus, the Hidden Wave Sword summoned his sword force. Groooan—!! The force wound around the blade, more for a thrust than a slice. As the energy was quickly completed, the Hidden Wave Sword poised the tip of his sword upward. Tap-! Amidst the silence, he surged, piercing through the air toward Namgung Bi-ah. Whoosh—!!! Just as the sword tip, unnoticed, approached Namgung Bi-ah... “…Huh!?” Suddenly, the Hidden Wave Sword gasped. Surely he should not be detectable nor seen a foot ahead. ‘How…?’ Abruptly, Namgung Bi-ah turned her head to look directly at him. Her blue eyes unmistakably fixed on the Hidden Wave Sword. Then, as if it were undeniable, having pinpointed him, Namgung Bi-ah moved. She dodged backward to block the thrust, lifting her sword. Screech—!! The sword tip clashed against the sword’s back, producing a tearing noise. How did she notice? Though the question arose, there wasn’t a moment to dwell on it. ‘Next is…!’ He must immediately prepare his next move. Although Namgung Bi-ah blocked it, if he rotated his waist and penetrated in this posture, then his next move would... Hesitate. “…” As he pondered the offensive, the Hidden Wave Sword inexplicably halted his movement. Then, with trembling eyes, he looked at Namgung Bi-ah. Sssss—!! The mist that had spread across the surroundings suddenly dissipated. His obscured view cleared. Namgung Bi-ah was fending off his sword attack. At a glance, it seemed she barely managed to block it. Yet. “…I have lost.” Strangely, it was the Hidden Wave Sword who spoke of defeat. Though the spar was not yet over, why did he speak of loss? As everyone pondered this question. “…Miss, may I ask you one thing?” With an expression filled with astonishment, he addressed Namgung Bi-ah. “Since when?” “…” Initially, there was no response. But he pressed on as though determined to hear an answer. “Exactly, since when…” His voice quivered. “Did you plant a Heart Sword (심검 / 心劍) in the back of my neck?” The Hidden Wave Sword couldn’t move an inch. Even a slight movement would trigger the intangible blade nestled behind his neck. Realizing this belatedly, he questioned. Hearing him, Namgung Bi-ah replied, “…From the start….” “…” Her response naturally quelled his fighting spirit.