1233 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

TLN: 1232 Was not posted on the site I get the chapters from. "Ugh!" "Gasp...!" The onlookers all took shallow breaths as they watched the duel. The oppressive heat made everyone instinctively grimace. The blue sky had transformed into a crimson hue. The change in color seemed to symbolize the intensity, and the very air felt altered. "...What in the world is this heat...?" "The air feels utterly stifling." Despite these being seasoned martial artists who each held their ground with some resilience, the fact that the element itself was influenced left them all astounded. "He was said to have surpassed the peak of mastery, but... Is this not nearing the level of a true flame practitioner?" "A true flame practitioner? No matter how exceptional the Divine Dragon is..." It was inconceivable that a martial artist not yet thirty could grasp the mastery of flame arts. This seemed to be the consensus. 'Well, I suppose.' How could I argue otherwise? I respect their understanding. Even with all the fortuitous encounters I've consumed, my father was an enigma to me. 'Red Heaven...' The area permeated with a crimson aura. It was the Red Heaven secret technique, one of the notable skills of the Gu Clan. While observing, a voice rang out. "Interesting." It was Tae Hoan’s voice. "This in itself is quite amusing. Deputy Lord of the Blue Dragons, you have more spirit than I anticipated." "...." Despite Tae Hoan's remark, my father did not change his expression. He casually stretched his hands. Crack. As he loosened his neck, a rough sound echoed. Even such minor movements elicited involuntary gulps. "I'm coming." Boom. With that brief declaration, my father's form vanished. In an instant, he appeared before Tae Hoan. Boom-!!! His fist reached out directly towards Tae Hoan. Clang-!! Tae Hoan drew his sword, blocking the punch. The impact pushed him back. Yet, his face was filled with a smile. "Good." Screech. He dug his heels in, resisting the backward force. Then he stepped half a pace forward, spinning his body. Shifting his axis, my father's punch lightly swept through empty air as Tae Hoan exploited the opening. Schwing--!!! In a split second, after briefly sheathing his sword, Tae Hoan drew it again. Whoosh-!! Though my father tilted his head to evade the attack, he wasn't entirely unscathed as a trail of blood marked his cheek. Then. Fwoooosh---!!! Flames erupted, encircling my father. Now it became clear. 'He intentionally allowed it.' He created the opening, drawing Tae Hoan closer. He let loose the flames, enveloping the vicinity. Tae Hoan’s eyes narrowed with intensity. "Do you think you can capture me with this?" Was this really possible with merely this? His challenge met with a serious look in my father's eyes. "Well." Fwoooosh--!! The flames intensified. The fierce blaze surged towards Tae Hoan. Swoosh--!!! An incredible dance of swords commenced. The brilliant flashes seemed as if they would slice through all the flames. An extraordinary display of swift swordplay. "Heh...!" "Is he cutting through all that fire?" "…Indeed, the Divine Dragon Deputy Lord." The fame and stature of the Divine Dragon Deputy Lord were truly being showcased. '…Frustrating.' I wanted to see more clearly, but unable to muster my energy, it was difficult to perceive the full speed. What was apparent, however... 'He has a purpose.' It seemed my father had something in mind. As the brilliant flames were being wholly driven back... Tap. "...Huh?" I felt something near my heart. Could it be the aftereffect of energy? But it didn't feel quite like that since there was no energy present. As I pondered the sensation, the reason soon became apparent. 'There.' My father had created something in his hand. It appeared to be a Flame Jade. Yet... 'Something's different.' It didn't seem like an ordinary Flame Jade. Instead of being a mere spherical form, it seemed to sprout small spines. What was this? ‘…It doesn’t seem to be a normal Flame Jade.’ A novel sight, even to me. Thus... 'An applied technique it is.' It was the application of a secret art. A spined Flame Jade. Observing it closely... "Ssss…." My father exhaled. Heat emanated from his lips as he floated the Flame Jade in mid-air. "What’s he doing?" Wouldn’t this make it less stable? Rather than throwing it, what was he intending? In that moment of curiosity... "Gah!" Thud-!! "Huh?" Suddenly, my father slammed the Flame Jade with his fist. Then... Boom-!!! The Flame Jade exploded, engulfing Tae Hoan entirely. Amidst the eruption, the intensity of the flames soared as they hardened into spines, aimed directly at Tae Hoan. '…So that’s why.' The design had been for this purpose all along. It was intended for destruction from the start. Even if the Flame Jade itself had low destructive power, it wouldn't be easy to evade it this way. This was evidenced as the smile vanished from Tae Hoan’s face. Swoosh--!! Flames directly impacted, obscuring the view. Shh-!! Sword energy surged forth, dispelling the flames and revealing Tae Hoan. He was no longer immaculate. Although his protective aura had shielded him, his clothes were singed. Nonetheless, the damage was minimal compared to the sheer force. It seemed more defense-oriented than offensive. My father lunged at Tae Hoan once more. Tae Hoan advanced to meet him head-on. Rumble-!! Sword force clashed with fist force. Their speed was such that it was hard to follow. The speed had easily exceeded the sound barrier. "Hahaha!!" A boisterous laugh rang out. It was Cheolhyun Buseon, seemingly elated, burst into laughter. "This is what it's about!" Paejon beside him looked at him with disdain, yet found himself engrossed in the duel next. Rumble-!! They continued to clash for quite some time. "…Impressive." "Truly." "How can they be so equally matched?" The world-renowned Divine Dragon unit. Tae Hoan, the Deputy Lord within it. Even facing him, my father showed no signs of being overpowered. Of course. ‘Evenly matched.’ It wasn't a statement I could easily accept. There were certainly shortcomings that prevented it from being considered an even match. The biggest factor, if we had to pinpoint one, was: 'He's using a domain.' My father was fighting by utilizing the Red Heaven technique. He’d crafted an advantageous domain for himself. In contrast... 'Tae Hoan isn’t doing that.' Tae Hoan wasn’t employing any domain. He wasn’t even utilizing his full martial prowess. It was clear. 'Tae Hoan is stronger.' While my father's level in terms of post-genius intellect might be different, he appeared weaker than Tae Hoan. Boom-!! Suddenly, the distance between them widened. "Hmm." Tae Hoan twirled his sword as he observed my father. "Is this all you've got?" "..." Instead of replying, my father casually shrugged. "Then it's a bit disappointing." Tae Hoan grinned. Ssssss---!! A radiant blue sword energy enveloped his blade. "Alright. Let's go again. I've been looking forward to this." If it continued this way, my father would be pushed back. He surely knew that. Moreover... 'He must have something planned.' The fact that he initiated this despite knowing he'd be at a disadvantage was telling. I focused on that aspect. If it were my father, he surely had a purpose. I believed that. "If you have nothing more up your sleeve..." Tae Hoan's figure moved. "I might end up slightly disappointed in you." "..." The brilliant sword energy cut lines in the air. At that moment. "Don't worry." My father spoke, and flames ignited once again on his body. They were just like before. What was he planning to do? Using the same method repeatedly wouldn’t make a difference. What was my father's plan? As I pondered this mystery. "Hmm." My father exhaled quietly. It mirrored what he had done earlier. However. '...Huh?' I sensed something from him. As Tae Hoan approached, my father's aura shifted suddenly. This was... '...It feels like the presence of a master.' It was the same sensation I’d experienced with my grandfather and Taecheon. I felt it now with my father. What is this? Why do I feel it? As I watched, stunned. "...!" Tae Hoan seemed to sense something as well, momentarily hesitating. However, he did not pull back. His intention seemed to be to cut through it without retreat. But- "That's enough." Tap. Tae Hoan stopped in his tracks. It wasn't of his own volition. The Sword Supreme had intercepted Tae Hoan, while Paejon and the Sword Queen stepped in front of my father. "Alliance Leader..." "This will cease to be a duel if it continues. Let’s stop here." The Alliance Leader spoke with golden authority, addressing my father. "You must feel the same way, no?" "..." Hearing the Sword Supremes' words, my father retrieved the flames he had gathered. Everyone lamented at that moment; the fervent atmosphere had suddenly become cool again. "This duel will be considered unresolved." What else could be said when the Alliance Leader declared thus? Regrettably, the duel between Tae Hoan and my father ended just like that. Without hesitation, my father turned his back. Observing him, I nodded slightly. 'What was he planning?' What was he intending to do? How did he unleash such an aura? No matter how I deliberated, I couldn't discern the answer. With lingering questions, the dueling festival continued. "Soi. Victory." The Blue Dragon unit seemed likely to win, having drawn one match and now securing a victory with Soi. Was the duel between my father and Tae Hoan too intense? There was a slight feeling of anticlimax settling in when suddenly. "I would like to challenge Baek Yangcheon." "Hm?" Someone called out to me. Curious about who it was, I looked. 'Not again.' I furrowed my brows. The one calling me out was none other than the Poison Dragon, Tang Cheongi.