201 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

**Episode 201: The Twentieth Elder - Collision, Turbulent Flow (7)** * * * An adversary who cannot see ahead. Yet, that provided no advantage to Wonmyeong(원명). Because he is a Transcendent(超越). Possessing the heightened perception that surpasses all physical limits, the fact that Baek Yahum(백야흠) could not see was precisely what shielded him from deceitful distractions. Kaboom! In the instant when fist met sword, Wonmyeong recognized something. "A Heavy Sword(重劒), indeed." "That's right. Since I can't see ahead, I can't afford any flashy techniques. I can only give my all in a single strike." "As a martial artist, I commend you." "As a martial artist, you say?" "I cannot forgive you as a human." With a sly grin, Wonmyeong layered his body with Qi. Wooooooooom— A clear sound resonated in all directions. Baek Yahum grinned widely, as if his smile would tear his face apart. "Did you know, my friend?" "Speak." "This divine cult thrives on the survival of the strongest." "I’m aware." "It’s the same for us elders. The rank of an elder is a measure of how strong they are as a martial artist. Of course, there are exceptions who wanted to be ranked low by choice." "You mentioned being the Second Elder. So you're claiming to be the second strongest." "Regrettably, I'm the third. Like I said, there’s an exception." Blood-red Qi enveloped Baek Yahum's sword. It was peculiar indeed. Typically, demonic Qi is known for its uncontrollable ferocity, yet the energy emanating from him was endlessly subdued. Like a cautious hunter waiting silently in the abyss for its prey to approach. "Anyhow, I am the third strongest elder within this divine cult." Baek Yahum swung his sword grandly. Ka-BOOM! "Oof!" Blocking the attack, Wonmyeong felt as though his meridians were being twisted. ‘Clashing head-on is a mistake!’ The moment that demonic aura is touched, the meridians will twist. Maintaining Qi and even emitting Qi waves would become impossible due to inevitable internal injury. "What rank are you among them?" Baek Yahum laughed heartily and swung his sword again. * Namgung Hyuk(남궁혁) ran far from the battlefield. A narrow canyon nestled between rocky mountains, the distant wind carried only screams, reminding him that this too was a battlefield, a tranquil land otherwise. Having halted his dash, Namgung Hyuk drew his sword. "Is it you, Seventh Elder?" An old man sat cross-legged atop a towering rock. His fierce eyes and emaciated body seemed far too feeble to belong to a martial artist. Yet, there was only one reason Namgung Hyuk was sure he was the Seventh Elder. "They call me Gui Myeonggeom(鬼鳴劒). I have no name." The deadly gleam in his serpent-like eyes beneath the gently lifted eyelids was overwhelmingly intense. "Do we need to converse?" "Knowing your enemy to some extent is necessary." "Namgung Hyuk, remember just that." "Your tone is haughty." The Seventh Elder, Gui Myeonggeom, rose from his seat. "As an elder serving our leader, you should show due respect." "Respect…." Namgung Hyuk scratched his ear. "What a corrupt world. When a bastard from the brothels lectures about manners." "...What did you say?" "The fact that a bastard from the brothels, squatting up in the mountains as a local petty ruler, lectures about manners is truly…." Whizz, a cutting sound split the air. Namgung Hyuk wrapped his body in Qi armor. Blue Qi waves spun around him, deflecting all the incoming sword winds. Clink-clink-clang! "Do you not even have the patience to listen?" Namgung Hyuk clicked his tongue. Gui Myeonggeom's eyes widened. "How dare you." Bang! He stomped forward. "How dare, how dare, how dare! Is it right for a worm from the Central Plains to not show respect in front of the great divine cult’s will!" Gui Myeonggeom's hand moved at such speed that it escaped Namgung Hyuk's perception. This time, he couldn't deploy his Qi armor in time. ‘Neck!’ The battle-honed instincts screamed, and Namgung Hyuk swiftly drew his sword, swinging it forward. Screech—! "Ah!" The launched sword wind carried a sharper edge than before. Had he foolishly conserved his strength, his head might have gone flying immediately. Namgung Hyuk stared wide-eyed at Gui Myeonggeom. "Kneel." Magi flowed from Gui Myeonggeom's body. Crimson energy enveloped his right arm. As the wind coursed through the canyon, it skimmed over the layered Magi, creating a sound. Screeeeeech…! It echoed similar to the cries of tormented spirits. That's when Namgung Hyuk understood the reason behind Gui Myeonggeom's nickname, Gui Myeonggeom(鬼鳴劒). Of course, nothing changed. "I’ve learned something in my life." Boom! Namgung Hyuk’s martial power shook the entire canyon. The ubiquitous Qi flowing through his eight extraordinary meridians had provided him with transcendent power, never betraying him. "A bastard needs a beating to listen." Namgung Hyuk pointed his sword towards the sky. "I’ll handle this myself." Not too fast, not too slow, Namgung Hyuk swung his sword downward, as if delivering judgment. Bang—! The sword stroke seemed to behead the entirety of the canyon. * "Did you block it?" In response to Namgung Hyuk's voice, Gui Myeonggeom lifted his head. His frost-cold eyes quietly blazed as they fixed on him. "Is that all?" "Not likely." Namgung Hyuk raised his sword again. Gui Myeonggeom, unlike before, didn’t take it head-on. He swung his arm. At a speed so fast, even he couldn’t perceive it. Ka-ka-ka-BOOM! He imbued sword winds with Magi, directing them all forward. The geography of the canyon was more advantageous for Gui Myeonggeom than any other battlefield. Gui Myeong Baksaeru(鬼鳴爆碎). His signature technique involves launching consecutive sword winds over a long distance, thus each attack being relatively weak. Therefore, a linear geography where attacks can be concentrated in one direction is ideal. With both walls fully blocked, the enemy had no way to dodge the sword winds. This time was no different. "Let’s see how long you last." Gui Myeonggeom dropped the formalities. As an elder of the divine cult, he always paid attention to his conduct for the sake of dignity. There was only one instance he would shake off politeness. It was the moment he decided he must kill his opponent. The Magi swirling around his right arm rotated with even greater ferocity. Consuming the oncoming wind, it unleashed the sounds of ghostly wailing. At that moment, assisted by the gyrating Qi, Gui Myeonggeom swung his arm once more. Ka-ka-ka-BOOM! A precise one hundred and thirty-two slashes. In the blink of an eye, everything before Gui Myeonggeom was sliced apart. In the very center, Namgung Hyuk stood, blocking with his sword in place. It was a sword membrane(劍膜). "Do you plan to endure? Without moving," Gui Myeonggeom mocked. But it wasn't carelessness. Namgung Hyuk's demeanor was too serene to allow for negligence. He gazed at Gui Myeonggeom with the same expression he had when he first arrived. "Is it over?" Namgung Hyuk asked. "It was the desperate struggle of a cornered dog. However, having boasted that much, showing more might be reasonable. I ask again." Namgung Hyuk's Qi oppressed the entire space once more. "Is it over?" A chill ran up Gui Myeonggeom’s spine. 'Is it just bluffing?' No. The weight of his Qi is too heavy for mere intimidation. A fool expending such Qi without cause cannot attain transcendence(超越). At the very least, Gui Myeonggeom knew that much. "...You must have a hidden card, then." "I have nothing hidden. I just didn't see the worth of unveiling it." "Arrogant." "Not arrogance, but conviction. It's the virtue of one who rules." "To speak of ruling with mere transcendence." For a fleeting instant, Namgung Hyuk’s brow twitched. Gui Myeonggeom noticed the reaction. It seemed to be his reverse scale. "...Huh." Namgung Hyuk let out a dry chuckle. "Indeed, like a dog, you lack any sense of your place." Suddenly, Gui Myeonggeom unleashed all his Magi from his Dantian. 'It's coming!' The look of distortion on Gui Myeonggeom’s face alone foretold a different caliber of strike. Magi surged through his meridians. Momentarily clouding his reason with the insanity reaching even the Sanmai, Gui Myeonggeom suppressed it. To control and conquer Magi under absolute command. That is the transcendence of a demon practitioner. "If you wish, I will use all my strength." The Magi wrapping Gui Myeonggeom’s entire body finally took shape. They were dozens of ghostly figures flickering in crimson. They wailed. Among them, the form of a woman with long flowing hair wrapped around Gui Myeonggeom’s right arm and the hand holding his sword. "So clamorous. Like a dog's barking." Looking down, chin lifted high, Namgung Hyuk enveloped his sword with his Qi. The overwhelming Qi that had oppressed the space converged within his sword. For an instant, as his breath, body, and sense of weight lightened, Gui Myeonggeom's eyes sparkled. Hesitant, the hand preparing to swing the sword halted. 'What is that...?' What on earth is this? The sheer presence emanating from the sword, cloaked in blue Qi, was overwhelming. So much so that it provoked awe, as if that sword’s presence could overpower all things in the world. "To reach such a state," Namgung Hyuk spoke. "The Emperor(帝王) does not walk." Screeee—! The Qi shone brightly, reflecting light with brilliance. "Because he can move the world from where he stands." The sword descended. The presence that had captivated Gui Myeonggeom finally collided with reality to awaken him. No, what awakened him was his survival instinct. "You wretch!!!" Gui Myeonggeom lunged forward. It was like a moth flying into the flames of its own accord. **Terms Translated:** - **Namgung Hyuk (남궁혁):** Name of the character, translated as is. - **Gui Myeonggeom (귀명검):** Name of the character, translated as "Ghostly Sword(鬼鳴劒)" with hanja. - **Sword Membrane (검막):** Technique used by Namgung Hyuk to shield himself, implying a protective layer created by sword Qi. - **Dantian (단전):** The energy center in the body, translated as is. - **Reverse Scale:** A proverbial term referring to someone's most sensitive point. - **Magi (마기):** Demonic energy specific to the Unorthodox Faction, which Gui Myeonggeom uses. - **Sanmai (세맥):** Likely referring to the three main energy meridians; the term is left off here but contextualized as significant meridians controlled by Magi. **Contextual Note:** The scene features Namgung Hyuk and Gui Myeonggeom in an intense confrontation, highlighting their martial prowess and philosophies in battle. Namgung Hyuk's belief in his superiority asserts his philosophy on leadership, while Gui Myeonggeom embodies a more traditional martial approach intertwined with demonic arts. These philosophical differences underpin the physical conflict, enriching the narrative tension.