Chapter 552: Shaman.

“What are you doing…?”

This was said by Gu Linghwa, who had just finished her morning training, upon seeing the situation unfolding before her.

“What is it?”

Gu Linghwa asked, looking at her older brother, who was yawning beside her.

Then, Gu Yangcheon casually wiped the sleep from his eyes and spoke.

“Can’t you tell? They’re sparring.”

“No, I mean….”

Why are they suddenly doing it right now?

Gu Linghwa suppressed the words she wanted to ask. After all, she had a mountain of other things she wanted to say.

‘What the heck?’

Forcing down her involuntarily puffing cheeks, Gu Linghwa narrowed her eyes.

Above the gravel field where the valley flowed. Two young men stood facing each other.

One was a neat young man dressed in white martial arts attire, symbolizing the Mount Hua Sect. The other was a pale-skinned young man wearing worn-out martial arts attire that looked like it had been picked up from somewhere.

Gu Linghwa heard he was her brother’s acquaintance, someone her sworn brother knew.

‘I think he said he was from the Kunlun Sect.’

Gu Linghwa wasn’t sure. She had never seen a Taoist from the Kunlun Sect, but this young man felt quite out of place to be called a Taoist.

‘Something about him… feels cold.’

Cold and sharp. That was Gu Linghwa’s impression upon seeing the young man.

“Are those two really sparring?”

“They wouldn’t be standing there if they weren’t.”

Gu Yangcheon’s characteristic rude tone grated on Gu Linghwa’s ears.

‘This brother of mine…’

He hadn’t even replied to dozens of letters she sent. Yet, his attitude was like this even after meeting after so long.

‘We weren’t that close, but isn’t this a bit too much?’

The siblings’ bond had been strong way back in the day. A bit of awkwardness and discomfort was perhaps natural. Gu Linghwa had made her own efforts to ease that. However, if this person acted like this, Gu Linghwa couldn’t help but get angry. Despite feeling this, Gu Linghwa stubbornly held back her anger. Because now wasn’t the time to express such things.

Gu Linghwa looked at her disappointing brother and asked.

“Do you really think that person can defeat Yeongpung, my sworn brother?”

She had heard that if this pale young man won this spar, he had said he would tell them why they were heading to Wudang. Hearing this, Gu Linghwa had to wear an incredulous expression.

‘No way.’

Just by looking, the opponent was a martial artist around Yeongpung’s age. Except for his height, he looked quite lacking in muscle. His body looked like it would break with a single tap, as if he hadn’t eaten well. Could such a person really defeat Yeongpung?

‘Impossible.’

Gu Linghwa asserted. That it was impossible. If it were anyone else, maybe, but Yeongpung was different. Who was Yeongpung? The youngest Plum Blossom Swordmaster of the Mount Hua Sect. And currently considered the greatest talent of Mount Hua, a genius. Moreover, now that he had obtained ‘that person’s’ fortuitous encounter, it was certain that Yeongpung would soar at an even faster pace. A late-stage disciple of the same age who could defeat such a Yeongpung? In Gu Linghwa’s view, there wasn’t one.

‘No….’

While thinking, Gu Linghwa glanced sideways. There was Gu Yangcheon, yawning again.

“…”

Although Gu Linghwa didn’t think so, it seemed there was one person Yeongpung considered superior to himself. And that was this guy.

‘…Why…?’

As if sensing someone was talking about him, Gu Yangcheon furrowed his brow and diligently dug into his ear. The sight was quite unappealing.

‘…Just why?’

Gu Linghwa had quite a bit of interest in Gu Yangcheon, so she knew about the things he had done and the rumors surrounding him in the past. The True Dragon who conquered the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering and received the dragon’s name. Shortly after earning the nickname ‘Youngest Peak Master’. The horrific incident at the Divine Dragon Pavilion, where he became a hero by stopping a master of the Demonic Path and ending the slaughter. And even the new alias he received, ‘Little Fiery King’. At that time, Gu Yangcheon’s name had spread throughout the Central Plains, causing quite a stir. It’s just that no one believed the content of the rumors. Even Gu Linghwa, his own blood relative. Do you know the nickname that followed Gu Yangcheon after becoming the Youngest Peak Master?

‘Youngest Enlightenment Realm? That’s impossible.’

Even as rumors, it was too much. No matter how close the blood relation, there are things one can believe and things one cannot. Gu Linghwa was also a martial artist, so she knew how utterly nonsensical those rumors were.

‘There’s no way that guy could do that.’

When she saw him at Mount Hua. Gu Linghwa had heard news that Gu Yangcheon had resolved some incidents. But she had never seen him fight directly. She had only heard that he miraculously defeated a Peak Master.

‘So he wasn’t just a reckless degenerate.’

‘He actually has talent.’

That was all she thought. Unlike Gu Linghwa, Yeongpung seemed to see Gu Yangcheon differently. Even when rumors circulated that he conquered the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.

‘As expected, Young Hero Gu.’

Even when the rumor of him being the Youngest Peak Master spread.

‘As expected… Young Hero Gu!’

Even when he returned to the Mount Hua Sect after the Divine Dragon Pavilion incident.

‘…As expected…. It was Young Hero Gu….’

Those were the words Yeongpung always uttered. Even when his cultivation level rose. Even as the plum blossoms contained within his sword gradually became more brilliant. Yeongpung’s gaze was fixed on only one place. Wanting to defeat someone. Wanting to reach someone. Yeongpung’s eyes were looking at something far away. Gu Linghwa thought it was Gu Yangcheon. But she had no idea why Yeongpung looked at Gu Yangcheon that way. Anyway. She had thought that Gu Yangcheon would naturally be the opponent for Yeongpung’s spar. But seeing him spar with someone she’d never heard of, Gu Linghwa couldn’t understand.

“Why, do you think he’ll lose?”

“…”

Gu Linghwa didn’t answer Gu Yangcheon’s question. But it was an affirmation. Gu Yangcheon chuckled slightly at that reaction. Seeing that, Gu Linghwa’s brow furrowed.

“Why are you laughing?”

“No, it’s just that it seems like a natural reaction.”

It seemed Gu Yangcheon also knew the current situation was strange. However.

“But just watch for now.”

Gu Yangcheon’s eyes were the same as always.

“Because I don’t think it will go exactly as expected.”

At that reaction. Gu Linghwa slowly shifted her gaze back to the two men.

• Swishhhhhh-! *

The sound of the waterfall spreading around the valley. The gentle breeze and slowly moving clouds. In the serene atmosphere, Yeongpung looked straight ahead. He saw the young man holding a sword. His disheveled hair and pale skin were striking. His movements gave off no sense of vital energy at all. Looking at such a young man, Yeongpung slightly shifted his gaze. Towards where Gu Yangcheon was. He was watching the two with interest, showing off his characteristic eyes.

‘What are you thinking, Gu-ssi.’

Looking at him, Yeongpung thought. What on earth could Gu Yangcheon be thinking? Why did he make me spar with Seong Dojang? Or perhaps, did he think I wasn’t ready to spar with him? Recalling this, Yeongpung let out a bitter laugh.

‘It’s not wrong, is it.’

Yeongpung knew it the moment he saw Gu Yangcheon.

‘…I feel nothing.’

He could barely sense a sliver of presence. He couldn’t grasp Gu Yangcheon’s cultivation level. This meant that Gu Yangcheon’s cultivation level was significantly higher than Yeongpung’s. It was the same as in the past, but Gu Yangcheon felt like he had ascended to a much higher sky than before. That fact.

‘As expected.’

Yeongpung actually felt glad. Whenever he tried to move forward somehow, Gu Yangcheon was further ahead. He even increased his speed, going faster and further. Watching that, Yeongpung desperately moved to follow. The first time he saw him. It was Gu Yangcheon who made him realize he was a frog in a well. He shattered the arrogance that had built a wall around me. He set a goal for me that I wouldn’t stop pursuing. A goal that allowed me to run without rest. As such.

‘I thought I might have gotten a little closer.’

Unfortunately, it seems I’m still far away. Such thoughts naturally arose.

‘…Even after receiving that person’s energy.’

Even though I inherited the great person’s will (意). To still be lacking.

‘Just how far are you planning to go, Gu-ssi?’

Yeongpung found Gu Yangcheon fascinating. How far was he trying to go? How could he advance at such speed? Whenever Yeongpung fell into arrogance even slightly and tried to puff out his chest. It felt like Gu Yangcheon would come and crush him. Perhaps it was because Yeongpung wasn’t entirely sane either, that he felt glad even while feeling exhausted. Thinking about it made him chuckle slightly. However.

‘Whatever it may be.’

Gu Yangcheon always had his own intentions. It would be the same this time. Although he felt regret for not being able to spar with Gu Yangcheon and a subtle dissatisfaction about being made to fight Seong Yul. Yeongpung trusted Gu Yangcheon. He drew his sword towards his opponent.

“Please take care of me. Seong Dojang.”

“…”

To Yeongpung’s words, Seong Yul simply held his sword. There was no reply. Furthermore, an anxious aura was strongly felt. Seeing that, Yeongpung inwardly tilted his head.

‘What is it?’

Why is he acting so fidgety? He couldn’t understand. However, he wouldn’t let his guard down. The fact that Gu Yangcheon specifically arranged for him to spar with Seong Yul meant he judged Seong Yul to be worthy.

“Begin.”

The voice commanded. Yeongpung immediately unleashed his inner energy.

Hoo-ooook-! Starting from his dantian, an immense amount of demonic energy erupted. Soon, it pierced through his body and began to spray in all directions.

‘Gggh…!’

Feeling the demonic energy engulfing his surroundings, Yeongpung inwardly swallowed a groan. It was too strong. The demonic energy was of such a vast quantity that he couldn’t control it. Moreover, it was rough.

‘The petals are boiling.’

That was his impression. Roughness mixed with the fluttering, soft plum blossom petals. It was impossible to control perfectly. Yeongpung could only barely wrap the demonic energy around his body, adjusting the amount being emitted.

Thump-!

The footwork that should have been light carried weight. Just like that.

Kwoooong-!

Yeongpung shot forward like an arrow.

“Oh.”

Gu Yangcheon let out a small exclamation upon seeing Yeongpung like that.

Swishhh-!

A powerful demonic energy was wrapped around the sword blade cutting through the air.

‘It’s soft.’

Although Yeongpung was sweating profusely while wielding that sword. Gu Yangcheon’s impression was different. Mount Hua’s sword paths possess lightness and softness. Like scattering petals. As expected from the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, it’s full of a refreshing feeling. A remarkably beautiful sword technique. That’s what people in the Central Plains say when they see Mount Hua’s swordplay.

‘People don’t know how difficult that is.’

Most people don’t know the meaning contained within it.

‘A soft sword path means, in other words, it’s difficult to exert power.’

To imbue sharpness into such a sword, where exerting power is difficult, without disrupting the sword path. How much meticulous control is required. Most people wouldn’t know. Furthermore.

‘That’s also why Mount Hua martial artists are physically superior.’

In the past, when I visited the Mount Hua Sect. I was surprised by their absurd strength training and robust physiques. Now I know.

‘To use that sword properly, such a body is forcibly required.’

Mount Hua’s sword requires a high degree of meticulousness. To control it, one must endure the physical strain. And to use such a soft sword, one must also possess strong lower body strength. Only then.

Swishhh-!

Can Mount Hua’s sword be used properly. Yeongpung’s sword cuts through the air. The demonic energy spreading from his body meshes with the sword and flutters. The sight is like scattering petals. Seeing that, Gu Yangcheon smiled.

‘The quality is different.’

When they first met. Yeongpung could barely make the plum blossoms bloom. But now, that Yeongpung was making the plum blossoms fully bloom. Not the shallow petals he showed back then. But the genuine petals shown by true Plum Blossom Swordmasters.

Hwaaaak-!

It was a shame he couldn’t control his energy properly. But even considering that, it was an incredible sight.

‘Yeongpung has already broken through.’

From the realm of late-stage disciples. He too has broken free. In my opinion, if Yeongpung’s current state were properly spread throughout the Central Plains. It would be fitting to bestow upon him the name Sword Dragon (劍龍). If that happened, perhaps.

‘In about ten years, he might even contend for the Sword King title.’

Maybe even faster. Yeongpung was blossoming with talent to that extent.

‘It’s different from my previous life.’

In my view, Yeongpung is one of the few individuals who changed for the better compared to my previous life. The genius who was crushed by his own talent and fell into ruin disappeared. And Yeongpung, who found his path without being blocked by talent. Yeongpung’s appearance shone along with the petals.

‘Still.’

Yeongpung’s opponent would not be easy either.

Clang-!

The sound of swords colliding. As the clear sound echoed.

“…Huh?”

At the same time, a surprised voice came from beside Gu Yangcheon. It was Gu Linghwa’s voice. She wore a very surprised expression. It couldn’t be helped.

Clang-! Screeeech-!

Yeongpung’s sword, called the greatest talent and having broken out of the late-stage disciple realm.

“What… is that…?”

Seong Yul was nonchalantly parrying it.

‘The opponent is also, in his own way, a Sword King (劍王) candidate.’

If the Sword Empress title was later taken by the Sword Demon Empress. The position of Sword King was left vacant in my previous life. It was shortly after the Sword Demon Empress killed her father, the Sky-Piercing Sword King. Because of that, the Sword King position remained vacant. There were quite a few people who could be called candidates. At that time, Mount Hua was destroyed, and Yeongpung disappeared, so he wasn’t among the candidates. But the Sword Devil (劍魔) is different. He was one of the individuals who had been nominated as a Sword King candidate. However, unlike the Sword Demon Empress who single-handedly destroyed one of the Four Great Clans, he lacked achievements or demonstrations of strength, so he never reached the title. If he had reached it, perhaps he would have been called something like the Demon Sword King (魔劍王), similar to the Sword Demon Empress.

‘It does feel a bit like looting an empty house, though.’

Since most of the sword masters had died. It was an ambiguous position to be called Sword King. Even so.

‘He still made it to the candidate list, doesn’t that count for something?’

The title of Sword King isn’t just anyone’s dog name, and the fact that he made the candidate list, even as a demon, doesn’t change. This means the Sword Devil has a certain value. As if Seong Yul was proving it.

Clang-! Clang-!

The young Sword Devil showed no signs of backing down against the blooming Yeongpung. Twisting and disrupting Yeongpung’s sword path.

Swishhh-!

Or exploiting any slight opening to penetrate.

‘He’s overcoming the physical difference with flow.’

In terms of strength and physique, Seong Yul is inferior to Yeongpung. Seong Yul compensates for that difference by…

Grind-!

…using the flat of his blade to deflect Yeongpung’s attacks. Yeongpung’s expression changed as he experienced this firsthand.

‘What is this?’

When he thrust his sword, Seong Yul had already moved and disrupted the sword path. Even a slight twist of the sword tip caused it to lose power and deviate from its intended path. He tried to compensate with footwork, but…

Tap-!

“…!”

The moment Yeongpung moved, Seong Yul also moved his feet in response. The distance neither closed nor widened. Yeongpung felt a sense of strangeness in this situation. Seong Yul’s cultivation level is much higher than expected. Around the same level as Yeongpung, who had obtained a fortuitous encounter. Yeongpung should have been quite surprised by this as well. But what surprised him even more was.

‘…I don’t feel the Kunlun sword style.’

The fact that Seong Yul’s sword didn’t exhibit the characteristic sword path of the Kunlun Sect. There should have been a distinct feeling unique to that place. But Seong Yul’s sword had none of that.

Swish-! Clang-!

The sword blades clashed, releasing sound and energy. Because their inherent strength differed, Seong Yul’s body shook more violently. Yeongpung didn’t miss that moment and pressed his advantage. He lowered his stance. He changed his grip on the sword. Since he couldn’t cut with the blade, he had to strike with the flat. As he was about to swing his sword towards Yeongpung.

“…!”

Suddenly, Seong Yul’s eyes changed, and he increased the speed of his sword. His body should be uncontrollable due to the recoil. Seong Yul controlled it and forcibly moved his arm. The speed was unbelievably fast for such an attack.

Swishhhhhhhhh-!

‘Damn it!’

Yeongpung also altered his sword path in response to such bizarre movements. It was to block Seong Yul’s attack. However. Seong Yul’s sword was strangely fast. So fast it was difficult to dodge. Was he hiding his strength originally? Yeongpung had such a thought. Just then.

[Stop.]

“…!”

Gu Yangcheon’s voice reached Seong Yul’s ears. Instantly, Seong Yul’s sword path slowed down. Then Yeongpung swung his sword towards that spot.

Kikikik-! The sword blades narrowly grazed each other.

Pang-! They deflected each other’s attacks, creating distance.

“Hoo… hoo…”

Yeongpung seemed surprised by the sudden turn of events, catching his breath as he looked at Seong Yul. Seong Yul stood as before, touching his cheek.

Drip.

Blood was flowing from his cheek. It seemed he had been cut by Yeongpung’s sword energy.

“…”

Seong Yul, however, didn’t seem to care much about the wound, his eyes wide with surprise at something. Looking at Seong Yul like that, Yeongpung asked.

“…Seong Dojang.”

At the call, Seong Yul looked at Yeongpung.

“Why did you slow down at the end?”

An attack that might have hit Yeongpung if not slowed, Yeongpung asked Seong Yul, who had slowed down, for the reason. To this, Seong Yul replied.

“…Because I thought I might… kill you.”

He answered in a voice that suggested he didn’t quite understand himself. Was he not understanding that he intended to kill? Or perhaps, was he not understanding why he stopped himself from killing? Yeongpung couldn’t know.

“…Hoo….”

Flick-!

He sheathed the sword he was holding and spoke.

“…I lost.”

His expression admitting defeat didn’t seem entirely pleased, but it looked somewhat relieved.

“…There are still many people in the world I don’t know, and it seems I still have a long way to go. You must have wanted to show me this, right? Young Hero Gu.”

Yeongpung realized that Gu Yangcheon indeed had an intention.

“…Yes…? Ah, yes…. That… that’s right.”

Gu Yangcheon, hearing this from afar, wondered what he was talking about.

‘What is he saying?’

He seemed to be having strange thoughts, but Gu Yangcheon decided not to deny it. Because it didn’t seem like a bad thought.

‘He beat him.’

Gu Yangcheon was also finding this event quite peculiar. He hadn’t expected Seong Yul to be simply pushed back and lose. But he hadn’t expected him to defeat Yeongpung either.

‘I was just trying to test something.’

I intended to find something out using Yeongpung. I didn’t know it would unfold like this.

‘Yeongpung isn’t weaker than Seong Yul.’

While it’s true Seong Yul is stronger than expected. Yeongpung isn’t weaker than him. It’s just that he couldn’t properly show his strength because he couldn’t manage his energy. If he manages to control it all and fights Seong Yul again.

‘Yeongpung will win.’

Objectively, it seemed so.

‘That’s not very important, though.’

Gu Yangcheon was observing Seong Yul’s situation rather than the current outcome of the match. Seong Yul, his amber eyes widened in surprise. He seemed to have felt something too, as he looked towards Gu Yangcheon. Seeing that, Gu Yangcheon smiled.

‘This works.’

Around the time Seong Yul tried to use the power of the Heavenly Killer Star during the spar. Gu Yangcheon attempted something on Seong Yul. As a result, the Heavenly Killer Star, which was trying to dominate Seong Yul’s body, was suppressed and blocked. Seeing that, Gu Yangcheon judged it to be a decent harvest. Of course, there was still more to test. After all.

‘This guy… I might be able to use him?’

Gu Yangcheon felt like he knew a way to suppress the Sword Devil’s Heavenly Killer Star.

*

After the spar ended and around lunchtime. Just as we were about to grill and eat the fish that rascal Seong Yul caught from the valley. I had to wear a dumbfounded expression upon hearing what Yeongpung blurted out.

“…What did you just say?”

As promised by the spar, I wanted to hear the reason why the two were heading to Wudang. But the words Yeongpung uttered were truly dog-like nonsense. Yeongpung looked at me, frozen with a dumbfounded look while holding a fish, and said.

“…I think….”

The words he carefully uttered to me, as if afraid someone might overhear.

“…I seem to have become a successor of the Mount Hua Divine Sword.”

“…?”

For me, it was words I couldn’t comprehend at all.