199 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

EP.199 The Twentieth Barricade - Collision, Torrent (5) * * * The front-line barracks situated in the northwestern part of Qinghai, where Shaolin Temple and Mount Hua Sect block the path. Upon receiving the report, Il-un's eyes turned cold. "You say that Sunryong was an agent of the Demonic Sect?" "Yes, Wudang has suffered because of it. With all their main forces vanished, Wudang will have to retreat behind closed doors for quite some time." Il-un's fists clenched tightly. Simultaneously, the emotions that surfaced were, to his shame, not purely of anger. Il-un knew. The fact that his entire being was elated with the opportunity to repay with a life-and-death duel for the past disgrace of being defeated by Sunryong. It was a sentiment he should not have exposed. Yet, his body itched and could not settle. "Oona." Bulseong(佛星) Wonmyung spoke. "Are you so delighted by this?" "...I apologize." "There is no reason to apologize to me. I simply wanted to say this." "What is it?" "Control yourself. As your fighting spirit rises, stay calm. Judge with a cold, cooled mind, and extend your fists only in the direction dictated by reason." Was it a reprimand? No, it was closer to advice. "Only in that way can you reach the Buddha’s hand." Wonmyung put his hands together. It was not merely a gesture of offering a prayer, but the first move of a martial art that Il-un had not yet mastered. "...I will keep that in mind." "Yes, for now, let's go." "Where to?" "Where else?" Wonmyung smiled slightly. "To the northeast, to the place where they will invade." Il-un's heart pounded heavily. * The atmosphere at the Qinghai branch of the Murim Alliance was tense. The dire news spread tension, as did the expression of the person in the chief seat. "They said Wudang has been struck?" Changseong(槍星) Sa Baek-un asked. He tried to suppress it, but his voice was full of simmering anger. Thanks to the throbbing veins on his forehead, the heads of those seated could not seem to rise. "...It was Sunryong's betrayal." "That child..." Sa Baek-un exhaled deeply. The threatening aura that surged suddenly bore an indescribable killing intent. "What of the other fronts?" "They are concentrating forces on where Wudang stood." "And?" "They are preparing for a fierce battle." "And?" "They are preparing a counterattack." Only then did Sa Baek-un's eyes open. "It seems I have been sitting in this seat for too long." He picked up his spear. "Doing nothing solves nothing, sitting here is a loss of strength. I did not consider that." He rose from his seat. "I will go." "Lord Leader!" "Before being a leader!" Thud! "I am a warrior." Sa Baek-un spoke with a resolute face. No one could refute Sa Baek-un's words. * Heavenly Demon Hall of the Demonic Sect. Wei Guang-tian bowed his head before the seven elders and middle faction leaders of the Demonic Sect. "I have erased Wudang." No more weakness clouded his voice. The overwhelming demonic energy that emanated from him was like a sharp blade dominating the space. The only one unaffected was Lee Mu-baek, the Heavenly Demon(天魔), before whom Wei Guang-tian now stood. "The transcendence of Zhongyuan is being pushed northeast." "And?" "We must also gather our forces at that spot." At those words, Lee Mu-baek asked. "For what reason?" "Because that is the way of hegemonic dominance(覇道)." Wei Guang-tian raised his head. "Of course, striking the opposite side to where the enemies converge is possible. However, such an act does not align with the hegemonic path. It is a cowardly act of evading the enemy. As demons of the divine cult, preemptively recoiling from the enemy deserves its own reproach." "An exceedingly rightful word." Lee Mu-baek spoke with a slanted jaw. "Execute it." "Understood." Wei Guang-tian bowed again and left the Heavenly Demon Hall. "My recovery is complete." No more effects of the medicine remained. Rather, he had restored the martial arts he had lost and was on the verge of advancing even further. His mind was clearer than ever, and the vitality of his heart could not be compared to before. "I greet the young leader." At the main hall to which he returned, Wei Guang-tian looked at the five demons prostrated before him. Sword Demon(劒魔) Yeon Ri-gun. Fist Demon(拳魔) Pae Ung-chu. Seduction Demon(色魔) Yang Go-hye. Ice Demon(氷魔) Tae Eul-byeok. And Sama Gong. One seat was vacant. However, it was of no major issue. "We are going to Zhongyuan." Upon those words, those present smiled. Wei Guang-tian smirked and added. "This time, we will reclaim it. Heavenly Slaughter Star(天殺星)." "Heavenly Demon Ascends! Let all demons bow!" Yeon Ri-gun shouted. "It will be as the young leader desires." Wei Guang-tian turned away. "A little more." Just a little more to go. Then even this cursed Heavenly Purple Star(자미성) can be shed. I can cast off this wretched fate that incites an inferno of wrath every time I commit an act of murder. "Just a little." Just a little more. "Stay alive." He hoped Mok Liwon remained alive. Until the day of achieving Eclipsing Star Technique(역성, 易星). * Mok Liwon finally arrived at the northeastern scene and took a startled breath. "This place is..." Exactly where Wudang was annihilated. It was horrifying. Even though the bodies had been gathered and returned to Mount Wudang, a residual scent of blood lingered. Through broken trees and the blood-splattered ground, Mok Liwon could picture in his mind the massacre that occurred here. Heavenly Slaughter Star(天殺星) recalled it. "Helpless." Amid the chaos was a transcendent martial artist. He slaughtered dozens of martial artists from Zhongyuan and Wudang’s Taoists. He likely wielded a blade. Swinging in wide arcs, he split martial artists in half with a single stroke. Though Wudang's martial artists used their martial arts against him, they too were similarly cut down. Even with Wudang's martial arts known for controlling the flow, it was useless. "Sword Energy As Strong as Steel(劍氣成罡)." The pinnacle of Qigong that can only be achieved upon reaching transcendence. With that, it would not have deviated from its original path, even within the flow of Wudang’s techniques. It was the same case elsewhere. --- **New Terms:** 1. Sunryong(선룡) translated as "Sunryong": His name remains unchanged; it appears to be a personal name and functions as a key plot character. 2. Bulseong(불성) translated as "Bulseong": Retained the original term but introduced "Bulseong(佛星)" to showcase its potential dual-language significance; appears to be a title or ranking within the martial arts world connected to enlightenment or Buddhism ("佛" meaning Buddha). 3. Wei Guang-tian(위광천) translated as "Wei Guang-tian": Retained as a personal name, appears to be a significant role within the narrative, potentially non-Korean. 4. Hegemonic Dominance(覇道) translated as "the way of hegemonic dominance(覇道)": The literal translation captures the concept of authoritative or strategic dominance in battle or leadership, used as a guiding principle for Wei Guang-tian's strategy. 5. Sword Energy As Strong as Steel(劍氣成罡) translated as "Sword Energy As Strong as Steel(劍氣成罡)": Retained to capture the notion of reaching the ultimate expression of martial arts through Qigong. **Gender Identification:** - Sunryong: assumed male; no direct reference to gender, but typical martial background. - Wei Guang-tian: assumed male; typical naming and role suggests masculinity. - Sword Demon and others: assumed male; conventional naming pattern in martial arts mythology suggests masculinity. The subordinates who follow the transcendent demon, perhaps? There were signs indicating that they killed everyone who lived here. There are traces of those who couldn't even resist. It must undoubtedly be commoners. Commoners who volunteered to support the battlefield. Tightly, Mok Liwon's fists clenched. His head was burning intensely from the horrific evidence of the massacre. And yet, the Heavenly Slaughter Star was causing trouble. It was trying to turn that anger into excitement. "Young Master Mok." Tang Hwaseo reached out and held his hand. Only then could Mok Liwon slightly regain his composure. "...Ah, thank you." "Don't mention it." Tang Hwaseo said with a bitter smile. "For now, let's go. There will be a meeting." "Yes, let's go." Mok Liwon headed to the temporary meeting room with Tang Hwaseo. * Since the Great Assembly of Zhongyuan, the atmosphere among the gathered central figures of Zhongyuan was tense. The seven transcendents representing Zhongyuan, along with the leaders of the Five Great Families and the Nine Great Sects. All but one seat, Wudang's, were occupied. Of course, given other front lines that required attention, there were sects that had sent representatives. The most notable among them was the Zhuge Family. "I am Zhuge San, here on behalf of the family head." Zhuge San said. This time, unlike during the previous assembly, his face was stern. "Yes, I have heard the news. I express my condolences for the tragedy." At Sa Baek-un's words, Zhuge San bowed his head and took his seat. Then, Sa Baek-un surveyed the conference room and spoke. "Thank you for gathering here. I hope you understand the urgency that necessitated this meeting." The anger was palpable in his rigid voice. As the patriarch of the orthodox martial arts world, he was more angered by Wudang's tragedy than anyone else. "It was my failure. My failure in judging people." It was regarding Sunryong. "Thus, I wish to wash away the sin with my own hands." Ma Ilsuk then spoke up. "Do you intend to head to the front?" "Yes." "You are the leader." "Before that, I am a warrior." "Even if you do not go, there are many here who will take your place on the front." Jin Geon agreed with Ma Ilsuk's words. "Indeed. If necessary, I could endure a bit more, couldn't I? You should focus on command...." "No, I'm sorry, but there isn't that luxury." Sa Baek-un immediately refuted. "Intelligence has come in. The main forces of the demonic faction are all headed for this northeastern region." The space seemed to freeze solid. "...Is that information certain?" "Yes." "Why?" "They are demons. No doubt, they have the confidence. The confidence that they can tear us all apart here and advance into Zhongyuan." "Humph." Scoffing was Namgung Hyuk, the Sword King. "Ridiculous. Insects who cling to mere demonic arts." He stood up from his seat. Sa Baek-un spoke. "The confirmed transcendent enemies number nine, including their leader. They outnumber us." "Does that frighten you?" "Hardly." Sa Baek-un smiled at Namgung Hyuk. "I am merely stating that I have more than enough reason to stand on the battlefield." Namgung Hyuk and Sa Baek-un's gazes crossed. The others deeply sympathized with Sa Baek-un's words. Each transcendent martial artist was akin to a powerful weapon. The numerical advantage in war was, without question, significant. "I agree." Starting with Blood Saint Yeom So-so, everyone eventually agreed to Sa Baek-un's participation. It marked the official commencement of war. To see the next episode. --- **New Terms:** 1. Young Master Mok (목 소협) translated as "Young Master Mok": Used as a personal address for Mok Liwon, indicating both respect and familiarity. 2. Sa Baek-un (사백운) translated as "Sa Baek-un": A direct translation, indicative of a personal name possibly tied to a specific role or lineage in the narrative. 3. Namgung Hyuk (남궁혁) translated as "Namgung Hyuk": A personal name from the Namgung Family, retained for consistency with chronicles and character significance. 4. Tang Hwaseo (당화서) translated as "Tang Hwaseo": Uses the character's original name, acknowledging her role and gender in the narrative. 5. Jin Geon (진건) used directly: A name identifying a character potential supporting Sa Baek-un in leadership matters. 6. Blood Saint (살성) translated as "Blood Saint Yeom So-so": Used for character title and name within the narrative, identifying another transcendent figure. **Gender Identification:** - Tang Hwaseo: Identified female; consistent with narrative cues. - Zhuge San: Assumed male due to the naming and contextual role. - Sa Baek-un: Assumed male; leadership and role context suggest masculinity. - Jin Geon: Assumed male based on the narrative and context clues. **Additional Context:** - "Transcendent Martial Artist": Refers to practitioners who have achieved a level of mastery that makes them akin to powerful weapons in battles, emphasizing their strategic importance. - "Conference Room Atmosphere": Highlights the tension and urgency among the leaders called to address impending threats.