Ch.74Myriad Sword Emperor

Something wearing human skin. That was the first impression upon seeing the man slowly walking toward the three of them. His disheveled hair swayed gently in the wind. The fierce expression beneath it evoked the image of a languid predator.

A man carrying the aura of a king. Even without conscious effort, his every movement had a profound impact on his surroundings.

It was enough to make one forget to breathe. Sei-rin belatedly exhaled a rough breath. Cold sweat trickled down her back. Just facing someone without hostility caused this much tension.

If that man were to draw his sword and block her path, could she even put up proper resistance?

The fleeting question in her mind quickly vanished. Sei-rin had to place her hand on her sword. The slowly approaching man had spoken with someone and was now walking straight toward where the three of them stood.

Her body naturally shifted into combat stance. It was instinct responding to withstand the overwhelming pressure the man exuded.

“Are you the ones? Those who wish to enter the Hall of Ten Thousand Swords?”

His voice was ordinary. Yet his tone carried an unmistakable arrogance. He was a man who looked down on everything in the world. She could tell just from hearing a single sentence.

“Are you… the one called the Emperor of Ten Thousand Swords?”

Respectful speech flowed naturally. Sei-rin examined the man slowly as she asked her question. Contrary to his title, he wasn’t carrying any sword. The calluses covering his hands clearly showed he was a swordsman who had trained extensively. How could such a person not carry his own sword?

“I am.”

Truly an arrogant man. He referred to himself as emperor. Anyone who had come from the Central Plains martial world would know what that meant. At the same time, she realized why he wasn’t carrying a sword.

‘He probably didn’t need one.’

Just as Sei-rin herself could subdue minor opponents without using her sword, this man could likely kill enemies without bothering to draw a weapon.

Sei-rin exhaled heavily and shifted her gaze. Theo and Flora were frozen. They were clearly overwhelmed by the pressure emanating from the man. The conversation couldn’t be allowed to break down. If they offended him, she couldn’t guarantee everyone’s safety. Sei-rin slowly opened her mouth.

“I crossed over from the Central Plains martial world. I was a nameless ronin. By fate, I was able to learn the Imperial Sword Style and establish myself in my later years.”

“Imperial Sword Style? How could a mere ronin learn the sword of the Namgung family?”

He wasn’t interrogating her. The Emperor of Ten Thousand Swords was simply curious. How could a mere ronin learn martial arts that only direct bloodline members of the Great Fang Sect could master? The Great Fang Sect’s family techniques were strictly controlled. It was a natural question.

Sei-rin responded with confidence.

“It’s a complicated story.”

There was no need to answer every question. After all, Sei-rin hadn’t yet joined under the Emperor of Ten Thousand Swords. His expression changed. Interest flickered in his previously indifferent eyes, as if he’d spotted an interesting pebble on the road.

“A complicated story… If you don’t wish to answer, I won’t press further.”

The Emperor’s gaze moved past Sei-rin to examine what lay behind her. It was where the violent energy burst had occurred earlier. The place where Sei-rin had fought a brief battle.

“Hmm…”

Step-

The Emperor of Ten Thousand Swords slowly moved forward. The gaze of the accomplished swordsman traced the remnants of the fight. She hadn’t fought alongside her companions. She had endured everything alone. And she hadn’t been overwhelmed by his subordinate.

‘Not bad…’

She had displayed such combat prowess in the form of a young girl. What would she be like if she revealed her true skill? She claimed to have learned the Namgung family’s Imperial Sword Style. Yet what remained here were traces of different swordsmanship.

The footprints in the ground were quite deep. It meant she had used power like that of a heavy blade. Powerful downward strikes, linear movements. These weren’t traces one would associate with the Namgung family’s style.

Perhaps she had learned other sword techniques as well. She said she was a ronin. The probability was high. She would have adopted whatever she could to survive.

“I heard… that you wish to create a new world.”

The Emperor turned around. The sight of the girl standing alone in the wind was quite picturesque. Her beauty was also exceptional, promising a bright future. When first impressions are good, subsequent actions tend to be viewed favorably as well. The Emperor quite liked the girl.

Enough to want her by his side.

He was the man who would soon have the world at his feet. The woman by his side should have matching dignity. She had sufficient beauty and exceptional skill. Any deficiencies could be filled by himself.

“Have you come to join me?”

The Emperor asked with a smile. The surrounding environment changed dramatically with his emotional shift. The naturally flowing energy made the wind infinitely gentle. It felt as if a warm spring had arrived.

“What…”

His gaze was chilling. Sei-rin swallowed, letting her words trail off. But she couldn’t show her emotions. She slowly nodded.

“Good. But before that, there’s something I need to confirm. You said you learned the Namgung family’s sword style?”

The Emperor said this while waving his hand. That light gesture generated a fierce wind pressure. As the inner energy swirling around his fingertips extended outward, a sword lying nearby naturally rose and flew into the Emperor’s hand.

Grasp-

“I’ll use only one hand. I won’t even move from this spot. Show me that Namgung family sword style you claim to have learned. Prove you’re worthy to stand by my side.”

With sword in hand, the Emperor had become a completely different person from before. Sharp sword energy dominated the surroundings. The space itself had fallen into his grasp. Even hundreds of yards away would be within his range.

Theo was the first to react. The moment his hastily drawn sword emitted a clear light, the Emperor shook his head.

“You’re not the one I wish to see. If you’re so eager to face me, wait your turn.”

It sounded like admonishment. Yet it didn’t feel awkward at all. Theo unconsciously nodded and stepped back.

“What…”

Sei-rin exchanged glances with Flora. Her eyes were filled with concern. Did she not believe in Sei-rin? No, even Sei-rin herself would have been worried in this situation. The Emperor was that dangerous. It was like having a massive bomb right in front of them.

Sei-rin didn’t step forward.

“I’ve already been tested. I crossed swords with your subordinate…”

“I didn’t see it.”

Her words were cut off before she could finish. Sei-rin had no choice but to draw her sword and step forward.

“Come.”

The arrogant voice was the signal to begin. Sei-rin immediately drew upon her mana. She didn’t use the White Dragon Heart Sutra’s incantations. In their place were the incantations of an emperor who commanded the heavens.

Much time had passed since she had absorbed those memories. She had reworked the fundamentals of the martial arts to create her own techniques. She could also freely use the martial arts that formed the basis of those techniques.

The flowing mana advanced as if consuming the surroundings. The sky created by the girl covered the space. The widely spreading sword energy increased its speed. Sei-rin and the Emperor’s swords clashed rapidly.

Clang-!

“Did you mainly learn swift sword techniques? The position of your fingers is peculiar.”

Flinch-

They had only crossed swords once. With just that, he had identified the characteristics of the sword style she mainly used. Sei-rin shook off the heavy sword and continued to press forward.

Clang-!

“It certainly reminds one of the Namgung family’s Imperial Sword Style. But it’s hollow inside. The martial arts of prestigious orthodox sects cannot be defined in a single way. The principles of martial learning that began from deep roots created numerous techniques, which were then bound together under the name of the Great Fang Sect. You said you were a ronin—truly a pity about your background.”

How could he talk like that, as if he knew everything? But she couldn’t refute him. Sei-rin also knew her own deficiencies. The memories she had inherited contained only the Imperial Sword Style. There was no internal cultivation method to support her power or footwork technique to assist her movements.

Clang-!

The Emperor kept his word. He didn’t move from his spot and used only one hand holding the sword. In that state, he skillfully deflected all of Sei-rin’s attacks.

It resembled a master instructing a novice. That was indeed the case. The Emperor continued to point out Sei-rin’s deficiencies. Of course, they weren’t corrected. Sei-rin was being stubborn.

“What do you know…”

“There is no single correct answer. I’m merely suggesting a better path. Whether to follow it or not is entirely up to you.”

That’s when it happened. The Emperor pushed Sei-rin’s sword away forcefully.

With a light gesture, the small girl’s body was pushed back significantly. There was no contest of strength. Sei-rin lightly spun and landed on the ground.

“Let’s stop here.”

The Emperor declared the end. A small satisfaction settled on his expression. Did that mean she passed? As Sei-rin stood awkwardly, trying to read the situation, the Emperor gestured.

“This child will be by my side. Treat her with the same respect you show me. The same goes for her companions.”

The Emperor of Ten Thousand Swords had declared it. Before his subordinates, who had emerged from all directions, could take the three away, the Emperor asked:

“I want to know your name.”

“Se…ra…”

He didn’t care to know the names of the others right now. As the Emperor turned his head, his subordinates led the three away.

The Emperor turned his head. His subordinate who had fought the girl was prostrating himself in that place.

“You said you crossed swords with her. How was it?”

“She used various sword techniques… The depth suggests she spent considerable time…”

“That’s not what I’m asking. Traces of the Formless Flying Sword technique’s release incantation remain here. It lacks inner energy and is even rough. That means you didn’t use it.”

“That…”

“I’m not accusing you of anything. I don’t think you’re foolish enough to leak the martial arts I taught you. What I’m curious about is how that girl named Sera used the Formless Flying Sword technique.”

“That… I don’t really…”

“Hmm…”

The Emperor tossed the sword in his hand to the ground while stroking his chin. Does one learn by seeing?

How could a nameless ronin come to use the Namgung family’s sword techniques? That question was resolved. It happens occasionally—those who can make martial arts their own just by watching.

A deep smile spread across the Emperor’s lips.