Chapter 512: Give it to me just once.

Sssureung-

He reached out his hand.

As if responding, the tip of the drawn sword smoothly swung.

A space shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to see properly.

Within it, the old man’s blade held a faint light.

Darkness is not much of a hindrance to a martial artist.

The eyes within the body activated by internal energy could pierce even that.

Whoook-!

Kwaaaah-!

A gust of wind surged with a single sword strike. The wind gathered at the tips of his toes supporting him on the ground.

His footwork became a storm.

Pajijik.

Then, lightning energy mixed with the wind.

Only after swinging the old man’s sword four or five times like that.

Swish-swish!

The sound followed belatedly.

As he struck poses, afterimages continuously remained in the air.

It was a sight visible because he had surpassed the speed of sound.

Changcheonmuaegum.

A sword technique nurtured and tamed by the Namgung family over many years.

The ultimate mastery, wrapped in internal energy and imbued with lightning energy, unfolded ceaselessly from the old man’s hands.

Though wrinkles had formed on his skin in old age, and he had lost the vitality of his youth, his attained level of mastery was so outstanding that it was not insufficient for displaying martial arts.

No, it would be more accurate to say he had become even more perfected through the long years.

He had lost strength, but his method of using it had become superior.

The old man was confident in his own sword.

He believed it had become much sharper than back then.

Tuk.

His toes brushed the floor.

He leaned forward and shot forward. He channeled lightning energy into the soles of his feet to increase his speed.

Using this recoil, he drew energy up to his right arm.

Changryongbo, a footwork technique studied to extreme perfection for better use of footwork and lightning energy.

With this technique mastered, the old man’s steps were faster than anyone else’s.

The remaining afterimages were so clear, it seemed as if there were multiple people.

That meant he was that fast.

One.

‘I can’t reach it.’

Even as he gradually increased his speed, the wrinkles on the old man’s forehead showed no signs of smoothing out.

I can’t reach it.

Not the sword wrapped in lightning energy, nor his charging body, nor his sound-surpassing footwork.

In the end, he couldn’t penetrate a certain line.

‘Hoho.’

‘Is it a problem with the space?’

He couldn’t just smash this place indiscriminately, so he was holding back his strength.

‘Could that be the problem?’

‘Indeed….’

The old man shook his head inwardly.

He had drawn his sword out of humiliation, but he hadn’t fallen into such oblivion as to lose his mind.

It’s simply that I can’t reach it.

His sword and body simply couldn’t reach that man.

That fact registered with the old man in various ways.

The old man’s blue eyes turned towards the man.

A gap in the thick darkness where his back was exposed.

Even within it, he could see eyes that glowed particularly red.

It was a gaze that didn’t waver at all.

‘Even if it was just a short exchange, could one be so calm?’

Seeing that, the old man had to change his calculations inwardly.

‘Is he hiding his strength?’

The Tiger Hero, Gu Cheolun.

From over ten years ago, he was the leader of the Divine Dragon Unit, called the direct subordinate unit of the Alliance Leader.

Before that, he was called the top late-blooming disciple, a genius given the epithet of the Divine Dragon.

Currently, he had taken over as the head of the Gu family, drastically reducing his presence, but…

Cheonjun vaguely knew what kind of person Gu Cheolun was.

Though it wasn’t widely known among the public.

Gu Cheolun was the man who met and subdued all five of the Demonic Emperors.

Moreover, didn’t he even have a record of enduring a combined attack from two of them and achieving victory?

It was truly astonishing.

While Cheonjun also knew such a feat wasn’t impossible, considering Gu Cheolun’s age at the time, it was an unbelievable level.

At that time, he would have just passed the age of fifteen.

Of course, since he gradually hid his presence after that, it was a fact Cheonjun had momentarily forgotten.

Could that be why?

Cheonjun couldn’t understand the current situation.

Even if the Tiger Hero back then was strong.

‘This current situation makes no sense.’

Swish-!

The sword grazed the air once more.

This time too, it cut nothing.

He shifted his gaze.

It was to pinpoint Gu Cheolun’s location, but…

There was no need to do so. Gu Cheolun had never once left Cheonjun’s sight.

This was as if…

‘Try and catch me if you can.’ Was that the meaning?

It felt like that kind of meaning.

‘Hoho.’

Cheonjun chuckled.

‘To me, of all people? It was truly the height of arrogance.’

However, even while feeling that way, Cheonjun had to express his acknowledgment.

He could tell enough from the brief exchange.

Gu Cheolun was the kind of person who could afford such arrogance.

It was rather astonishing.

The fact that he lived hiding such a presence.

‘Anything more than this is problematic.’

Cheonjun’s grip tightened.

He had no intention of killing Gu Cheolun.

He merely intended to inform him.

‘How dare he disrespect the Namgung family.’

‘He was the representative of the Namgung family.’

‘He couldn’t back down from this.’

‘If the opponent insulted the Namgung family, they must be given a fitting punishment.’

‘Therefore, Cheonjun could not back down.’

‘The Namgung was him, and he was the Namgung.’

Koong-! Cheonjun instantly focused power in his dantian.

‘If I can’t reach it, the priority is to change things so I can.’

Hooook-!

A heavy energy permeated his body through the acupoints. Cheonjun’s clear blue eyes took on a light.

And at the same time.

Kwaaaahk-!

An immense pressure erupted from Cheonjun’s body.

Vast energy enough to crush the space.

It was a secret technique of the Namgung family called the Emperor Sword Form.

Kugugung….

The pressure burst, shaking the walls of the space.

Even using it with maximum restraint, they couldn’t withstand it.

Controlling the internal energy erupting like a roar, Cheonjun shifted his grip on the sword.

Gu Cheolun received the pressure of the Emperor Sword Form head-on.

His body must have been restricted for a moment.

Just as the sword, filled with Cheonjun’s energy, was about to unleash a flash towards Gu Cheolun.

Ossaak-!

“…!”

Cheonjun suddenly stopped his movement and twisted his body.

It was because a chilling feeling had suddenly grazed him.

As Cheonjun retracted all his movements, unleashed his internal energy, and twisted his body, something pierced where Cheonjun’s chest originally was.

Swiiik-!

It was Gu Cheolun’s arm.

Then.

Hwareuk-!

A small flame sparked from Gu Cheolun’s hand.

Kwaaaaaaaaah-!

An enormous flame erupted.

The flame was hot enough to melt the walls and more.

‘What…?’

Cheonjun’s eyes widened upon seeing that.

‘How?’

‘He clearly took my Emperor Sword Form head-on, yet he moved immediately?’

Cheonjun’s mind went blank.

It was a completely unexpected situation.

‘And what about the speed?’

‘If he hadn’t genuinely twisted his body, he would have been hit.’

Hwaak.

The sound of embers flying nearby grazed him.

Cheonjun immediately twisted his sword, switching to a defensive stance.

Kwadeuk-!

“…Kuhuk…?!”

The sound of bone shattering was heard from his shoulder.

Where did the flame go? Gu Cheolun had attacked Cheonjun’s shoulder.

He couldn’t block it.

Only then did Cheonjun realize.

That the sound of embers just now was a feint.

But it was already too late.

His shoulder shattered, and his stance collapsed.

He needed time to regain his stance.

‘Though it would be an instant to others.’

‘In a fight between martial artists, it’s the crossroads of life and death.’

At that moment, Cheonjun had to sense his own defeat.

But then.

“…”

Nothing happened afterward.

Gu Cheolun took no action until Cheonjun regained his stance.

That wasn’t all.

As Cheonjun paused his attack in bewilderment, Gu Cheolun simply stood watching him.

As Cheonjun looked at Gu Cheolun with questions about this strange situation.

“Now.”

Gu Cheolun slowly spoke.

“Have your messy carelessness ended, sir?”

“…!”

“Then, draw your sword properly again.”

The calmly spoken words pierced Cheonjun’s heart.

Unbecoming shame surged up to the top of his head.

“Ha… haha… Well, this is something.”

The pride he had barely held onto crumbled.

Cheonjun realized he had been making a mistake.

“I’ve shown a shameful sight… My apologies, Head Gu.”

‘The difference in actions.’

‘I was underestimating him too much.’

Even though Cheonjun realized in the first exchange that Gu Cheolun was not someone to be underestimated, he made a mistake against him.

Gu Cheolun knew this, so he gave Cheonjun a realization, albeit in a somewhat humiliating manner.

Realizing that, Cheonjun bit his lip.

‘Hadn’t he realized it the moment he saw Gu Cheolun?’

‘Just by looking at the emanating aura and immense presence, he knew Gu Cheolun was a sufficient figure to match him.’

‘Yet, his pathetic pride was preventing it.’

‘He had to let it go.’

Woowoong-!

Cheonjun’s aura changed.

The wind blew.

Lightning energy permeated his entire body, creating recoil, and strength surged into his aged body. Annoyed by the potential collapse of the space, he unleashed all the strength he had been suppressing.

Geugeugeuek-!

Cracks appeared in the air.

Light leaked from the cracks.

Simgeom (Heart Sword).

The form of the Heart Sword unleashed by Cheonjun illuminated the surroundings.

His internal energy flowed out.

His chest grew hot.

His dantian trembled violently, feeling vibrations, and his internal energy poured out madly to withstand it.

Feeling this, Cheonjun swallowed a groan.

‘It wasn’t this taxing when I first started using the Heart Sword.’

‘For some reason, using the Heart Sword feels difficult.’

‘Has the Heart Demon (Simma) arrived?’

‘As the Heart Sword is the power of the mind, getting caught up in a Heart Demon makes it that much harder.’

Recalling that, he bit his lip.

‘Even so, it doesn’t matter.’

‘This isn’t the time to worry about such things.’

The sword form of light aimed its tip towards Gu Cheolun.

Sword aura (geomgang) permeated the sword in his hand.

Lightning energy pierced through Gu Cheolun’s heat, dominating the surroundings.

He took one step forward.

Hwaaaahk-!

The Emperor Sword Form manifested again.

It grew in size, interlocking with the lightning energy.

Cheonjun’s presence, unleashing the strength of his entire body, doubled.

Enough to devour the heat and presence Gu Cheolun was emitting.

He took two steps.

Pat-!

Lightning energy sparked.

Cheonjun’s figure vanished from Gu Cheolun’s sight.

Ilgeom (One Sword).

The sword aura, containing the enlightenment Cheonjun achieved, drew a diagonal line towards Gu Cheolun.

Simultaneously, the Heart Sword also emitted light.

A narrow space, there was nowhere to evade.

The wind that led the gust turned into thunder as it mixed with lightning energy.

Just as Cheonjun’s thunder was about to pierce Gu Cheolun’s neck and unleash a flash.

Gu Cheolun’s pupils moved.

His red eyes were clearly looking into Cheonjun’s eyes.

And then.

Tung-!

“Huhup…!”

Suddenly, with a dull sound, Cheonjun’s sword was knocked away. Due to the uncontrollable recoil, Cheonjun involuntarily cried out.

‘What happened?’

Cheonjun swallowed dryly as he assessed the situation.

Gu Cheolun had struck the flat of the blade with his fist, sending it flying.

Moreover.

Kwadeudeuk-!

Following that, the shock spread, and the sword aura surrounding the blade burst.

The sword aura honed over many years shattered with a single casual punch.

Watching the fragments of sword aura scatter in the air, Cheonjun’s heart grew cold.

‘It would have been better if it stopped there.’

Gu Cheolun swung his unused left arm to the side.

Kwajik.

As Gu Cheolun’s large fist grazed the air, a powerful noise was heard.

Simgeom (Heart Sword).

Cheonjun’s mind, his absolute power as a swordsman, was split in two by a single punch.

Kwaaaaaaaaah-!!

As his power collapsed, the gathered pressure dispersed.

Gugugung-!

The internal energy, having lost its master, hit the walls and destroyed the surroundings.

Cracks appeared everywhere, making it look like it would collapse any moment.

Cheonjun gaped at the situation that had unfolded in an instant.

‘How can I be so powerless?’

Watching his dispersing sword aura, the strength left Cheonjun’s body.

Teolseok.

“Kkeureuk….”

His martial arts were forcibly blocked, and the recoil gradually spread.

Even the Heart Sword was broken, directly affecting his vessel.

Tududuk.

Blood flowed from Cheonjun’s mouth as he knelt.

“Heok… heok….”

Pain surged like cracks forming in his vessel, but Cheonjun lifted his head before anything else.

In front of him stood Gu Cheolun, looking just as he had at the beginning.

He looked down, hands clasped behind his back, his red eyes open.

He looked immaculate, as if he hadn’t fought at all.

Seeing that, Cheonjun let out a hollow laugh.

“…I see… I truly didn’t know anything.”

Not only did he break the sword aura with his bare hands, but he also crushed the Heart Sword.

It was an unremarkable movement.

Gu Cheolun didn’t use anything that could be called martial arts.

Even though he was a martial artist who used fire techniques.

Cheonjun asked without wiping the blood flowing from his lips.

“…Why do you live in hiding with such power?”

Now, curiosity preceded astonishment.

‘How could he not be curious?’

At Cheonjun’s words, Gu Cheolun frowned slightly.

Seeing Gu Cheolun’s expression, Cheonjun spoke.

“Surely, there is no one in this world who can defeat you….”

‘No one in the world can defeat him.’

Cheonjun had finally acknowledged it.

‘That Gu Cheolun was the current number one under heaven.’

‘It couldn’t be helped.’

To witness such power and not acknowledge it would go against his pride as a martial artist.

Cheonjun was simply curious.

‘Does… Wiga also know this?’

Wiga. It was a question about the previous Murim Alliance Leader, the old man called the Sword Master.

‘Did the Sword Master also know Gu Cheolun’s strength?’

Regarding this, Gu Cheolun…

“He knows.”

He answered affirmatively.

Hearing that answer, Cheonjun fell into further doubt.

‘…Then, why…’

‘Why live hiding his strength?’

Cheonjun also knew that the Gu family lived harboring many burdens.

‘Is he living in hiding like this for those burdens?’

Just as such thoughts arose.

“Because it’s not particularly important.”

Gu Cheolun replied in a calm voice.

“The things you deem important are unnecessary matters to me.”

‘The name of being number one under heaven.’

‘The honor and fame that come to strong martial artists.’

‘Pride and presence as a martial artist.’

None of that was important to Gu Cheolun.

‘I couldn’t understand.’

At least, to Cheonjun, those words were incomprehensible.

“Then… what is important? Head Gu, what is the goal you desire?”

“…”

‘What on earth is important?’

To Cheonjun’s question, Gu Cheolun recalled.

‘Perhaps, for a while, there wasn’t.’

‘On that winter day when he lost everything.’

‘Gu Cheolun had abandoned even his dreams.’

‘He had lived ignoring it for a long time, but now, something he wanted to find, even belatedly, had emerged.’

‘For that, he couldn’t hesitate any longer.’

Gu Cheolun approached Cheonjun without uttering this answer.

‘He had no intention of continuing pointless questions and answers.’

Power gathered in his palm.

Chiiik….

Cheonjun could see it.

‘Gu Cheolun’s hand was heating up, turning red.’

‘What is that?’

‘It didn’t feel like fire technique heat.’

‘Not only that, but rather, frighteningly, he felt nothing at all.’

Ah.

Cheonjun soon realized.

‘That it was his own death.’ Looking at Gu Cheolun’s hand, Cheonjun judged so.

‘He couldn’t even guess what form of power it was.’

‘Perhaps that’s precisely why it was more terrifying.’

With death looming at his throat, Cheonjun spoke in a weary voice.

“You may take my life….”

“…”

“But please, show mercy to the Namgung family….”

There was no answer this time either.

‘There was no other way.’

Cheonjun closed his eyes as if resigned.

Gu Cheolun reached out his hand towards Cheonjun.

Just before the reddened hand touched Cheonjun.

“…Father?”

Uteuk.

A title called out from nearby.

Hearing that, Gu Cheolun’s body stiffened.