Chapter 799: If you say one more word.

Blood flows from where the sword’s edge touched my neck.

Just as I was carefully controlling my breath, afraid of being cut. Feeling the flowing blood and cold sweat, Eunranggeom’s body stiffened.

How in the world did things end up like this?

I forced my trembling gaze downward and looked at the woman.

The woman holding a sword to my neck.

Sword Dancer Namgung Bi-ah.

Looking at her, Eunranggeom’s brow furrowed deeper.

‘Seriously.’

How in the world did this happen?

When did this woman get all the way here?

She was clearly far away just a moment ago, but the instant I noticed, she had burrowed into my embrace.

It was an impossible situation.

‘…I didn’t perceive her?’

Did I not perceive her at all while she came this far?

Perhaps, does that mean her skill level is that high?

‘That can’t be.’

Eunranggeom immediately denied it.

Nothing has changed.

To Eunranggeom, Sword Dancer’s skill level was still clearly visible.

She cannot defeat me.

Furthermore, the situation where I couldn’t perceive her because of that doesn’t make sense either.

‘What trick did she use?’

She must have used some trick. If not, it’s an impossible situation.

Could it be some sort of wicked sorcery?

Just as all sorts of thoughts surfaced in Eunranggeom’s mind.

Swish-.

The sword’s edge touching my neck began to slowly fall away.

Fwip-! Clack-!

Namgung Bi-ah lowered the sword she was holding and then put a little distance behind her.

The same distance that had been between us initially.

Maintaining exactly that distance, Namgung Bi-ah looked at Eunranggeom.

The same expression as when we first faced each other.

At that expressionless face, Eunranggeom bit his lip.

With his hand, he cupped his wounded neck as if to hold it, and blew his inner energy into it.

It was to stop the bleeding.

As the inner energy seeped in, the blood flow stopped.

Only then could Eunranggeom breathe heavily.

Along with that, the quiet surroundings also began to regain sound little by little.

“Wh-what was that just now…”

“Did Sword Dancer win against Eunranggeom?”

“It was so instantaneous, I couldn’t even see it properly…”

All of them had dumbfounded reactions.

It couldn’t be helped. The scene just now was something that would be hard to believe even if one had seen it directly.

It was a single moment.

A fleeting moment, not even worth calling a sparring match.

There were no omens or processes that could be perceived, yet before I knew it, only the result remained.

Eunranggeom had yielded his space to Namgung Bi-ah.

If the sword touched the neck, that was the end. This was an unspoken agreement that even non-warriors would understand.

Since the result turned out this way, perhaps Eunranggeom had lost.

Just as that fact surfaced in everyone’s minds.

“…What… are you doing?”

Namgung Bi-ah suddenly spoke up.

At that voice, Eunranggeom frowned.

“What did you say…?”

“…The end?”

“…!”

This time, Eunranggeom’s eyes widened slightly.

It was because only then did Eunranggeom understand what Namgung Bi-ah was saying.

Is this the end?

Aren’t we sparring anymore?

Those were the words that held that meaning.

“Ha…”

Hearing this, Eunranggeom let out a breath of disbelief.

“You intend to continue?”

The victory and defeat had already been decided. Regardless of whether it was carelessness or a trick, there were too many witnesses to the outcome.

What meaning would there be in continuing?

To Eunranggeom’s words, spoken with that thought, Namgung Bi-ah immediately added.

“…I haven’t… properly done it yet…”

“…”

The sparring match was not over.

Hearing that, Eunranggeom ran a hand through his hair.

It was because her appearance, purely intending to continue sparring, felt strangely off.

Isn’t winning enough? Even as he thought that, his own situation suddenly felt ridiculous.

He recalled Namgung Bi-ah’s appearance, swinging her sword three times, and asking why he was yielding.

Gazes continued to pour down.

Amidst the intense gazes, Eunranggeom bit his lip.

‘Damn.’

Something had gone terribly wrong.

Realizing this, he raised his sword.

“Miss.”

At Eunranggeom’s words, Namgung Bi-ah tilted her head.

“I offer my apologies first. I underestimated you, Miss.”

I don’t know what method she used, but I had to accept the result.

I had underestimated Sword Dancer, and as a result, I had offered my neck.

Furthermore.

“…Additionally. Thanking you for your guidance and consideration.”

Woooooong-!

Eunranggeom’s beloved sword slowly began to cry out.

“Please, grant me one more chance.”

“…”

I won’t be careless this time, so please let me spar one more time.

To such a request, Namgung Bi-ah responded not with words, but rather.

Sreung.

She substituted her answer by pointing her sword at Eunranggeom.

Seeing that reaction, Eunranggeom turned his gaze.

Below the martial arts stage, where the Holy King was located.

The sparring match where the bet was placed in the first place. Getting another chance was good, but the Holy King’s reaction was also important.

Would he not take issue with this? Eunranggeom sent a worried gaze, but.

The Holy King, having noticed, simply looked at Eunranggeom without uttering any particular words. Seeing this, Eunranggeom swallowed inwardly.

“…”

Does this mean it’s really okay to do it again?

This means it’s okay to fight without being careless, without major issues?

‘That can’t be…’

It can’t be. He tried to think that way, but hesitation brushed past him.

What is seen might not be everything. Wasn’t it just like that a moment ago?

Clack.

Laden with tension, Eunranggeom gripped his sword.

“Hoooo…”

He steadied his breathing.

Woooooong-! Woooooong–!!

As Eunranggeom breathed, the sword’s cry (劍鳴) gradually deepened.

Ssssseee–!!

Just as sword energy (劍罡) permeated the sword blade.

Thump-!

Eunranggeom moved.

As he took a step, a flash grazed past.

It was a crescent moon-shaped sword energy (劍氣).

“…”

Seeing that, Namgung Bi-ah crouched down and tightened her grip on her sword.

Crackle-!! Lightning energy (雷氣) burst forth and was released.

Crackle-crackl-crackl-!!! Thump-!

The lightning energy and sword energy collided, causing an explosion.

Fragments of energy rained down into the air, and through the gaps, Namgung Bi-ah moved.

Woooooooong—!!

The sword’s cry raged from her sword.

She took a step and performed a movement; the Azure Dragon Step (蒼龍步) imbued with lightning energy reached Eunranggeom in an instant.

Crackle-!

As she swung her sword, blue lines appeared consecutively.

Dozens of lines poured towards Eunranggeom.

“…”

Eunranggeom did not dodge these.

He simply swung his sword as much as the visible lines.

Clack.

Silver Fang Sword Style (恩牙劍式).

Silver Flash Sorrow Flow Link Style (恩閃悲流聯式).

Swift swordplay sliced through all the rampant lines.

Crackle-! Crackle-!

Since the sword strikes were all imbued with lightning energy, a tingling sensation grazed him each time he parried.

Having cut down all attacks, including the last one, Eunranggeom quickly took a step back to create distance.

Namgung Bi-ah, whose gaze had been drawn upwards, lunged at Eunranggeom as if taking a low stance.

Her speed was incredibly fast.

No, rather than speed being the factor.

Gugu-gugu-gugu—!!!

It would be more accurate to say that the pressure emanating from Namgung Bi-ah’s body bound Eunranggeom’s feet.

‘Emperor Sword Form!’

Recalling the martial art, Eunranggeom frowned.

Although he couldn’t be sure due to the ambiguous energy, he knew now.

The pressure binding Eunranggeom’s ankles, this was the Namgung family’s secret technique, Emperor Sword Form.

Namgung Bi-ah must have intentionally diverted his attention with the lines and used the Emperor Sword Form at a low stance to prevent him from noticing.

‘Ha.’

Impressive. Admiration naturally surfaced.

He knew well how difficult a martial art the Emperor Sword Form was to use.

To use it, one needed sufficient inner energy (內氣量) and the strength to maintain it.

Therefore, controlling it subtly would be nearly impossible.

This woman is not only maintaining the Emperor Sword Form but also controlling it nonchalantly.

‘Without even using the Emperor Sword Form as her primary focus, though.’

Generation after generation, the Namgung family wields swords and lightning energy, led by the presence provided by the Emperor Sword Form.

Namgung Bi-ah seemed to be focusing solely on swordsmanship rather than that.

If asked if that’s a weakness.

‘…It’s confusing.’

It doesn’t seem like it is.

Kkikik-!!

The sword tip that cut the floor grazed the tip of Eunranggeom’s nose.

Dodging the attack, Eunranggeom quickly spun backward and swung his sword.

Crackle-!!

As he dodged the sword strike, lightning energy flew from behind him.

He couldn’t tell when this was fired either.

After dealing with the lightning energy like that.

“Hoo-!”

He took a deep breath and tightened his grip.

His senses were already flooded with information.

Namgung Bi-ah, who gave him absolutely no space.

Lightning energy pouring from all directions and the Emperor Sword Form binding his ankles.

It could be called a total crisis.

However.

‘As expected.’

Seeing this, Eunranggeom was once again convinced.

Namgung Bi-ah is strong.

Fighting her, he could tell even more.

With this level of stats, she might reach the Hwajing realm soon… or perhaps, she already has.

It’s certainly an unbelievable level, but.

‘Not yet.’

For now, he was still stronger.

Kwadeuk-!!

Amidst the terrifyingly penetrating sword and lightning energy, Eunranggeom suddenly plunged his sword into the ground.

At that moment.

Kugugu-gugu-gugu—!!!

Sword energy (罡氣) burst forth and swept the surroundings.

It was truly vast inner energy. He could tell a significant amount had been infused.

The energy spread like waves, devouring the lightning energy, taking on a misty form, and even obscuring vision.

This was a type of domain.

A domain created by Eunranggeom.

If within the misty energy, sensing energy became easier.

Obscuring the opponent’s vision and creating an advantageous situation for oneself within it.

This was a martial art and secret technique mastered by Eunranggeom, who had reached the Hwajing realm.

He never thought he’d have to use this in front of others, but he couldn’t help it.

“…”

He immediately suppressed his presence. If this happens, the opponent won’t know where I am.

Even though he couldn’t see an inch ahead, Eunranggeom felt the surroundings clearly.

Thanks to this, Eunranggeom easily found Namgung Bi-ah.

She hadn’t moved an inch from her original position.

Sssk.

He gripped his sword and took a stance.

One strike (一擊).

He would end the sparring match with this one strike.

And.

‘I’ll have to pretend the bet never happened.’

No matter what, I can’t bring up the bet at this point.

Since the other side let it slide, I can’t bring it up either.

Having judged so, Eunranggeom raised his sword energy (劍罡).

Gugeugeu-!!

The sword energy (罡氣) wrapped around the blade as if rotating.

It was preparation for a thrust rather than a slash.

The energy was completed shortly after; Eunranggeom, grasping it, raised the tip of his sword.

Tuk-!

In the silence, he charged through the energy.

Fuuuk—!!!

Just as the thrusting sword tip was about to reach the unsuspecting Namgung Bi-ah.

“…Huh!?”

Suddenly, Eunranggeom let out a gasp.

Even though there was no presence, and he couldn’t see an inch ahead.

‘How…?’

It was because Namgung Bi-ah suddenly turned her head and looked at Eunranggeom.

Namgung Bi-ah’s blue eyes were clearly looking at Eunranggeom.

And, as if confirming this wasn’t a lie, Namgung Bi-ah moved.

As if to block the thrust, she pulled back her body and raised her sword.

Kkikikik-!!!

The sound of sword tips and sword backs colliding and tearing spread out.

How did she notice? Doubt arose, but this wasn’t the time to dwell on it.

‘What comes next…!’

He had to prepare the very next move.

It was good that Namgung Bi-ah blocked it, but if he rotated his waist and broke through in this state, he had to execute the next move immediately…

Halt.

“…”

Eunranggeom, who had been recalling his offense, stopped his body for some reason.

Afterward, he looked at Namgung Bi-ah with trembling eyes.

Ssssaaaa–!!

The mist that had spread in all directions suddenly dissipated.

The obscured vision was revealed.

Namgung Bi-ah was blocking Eunranggeom’s sword.

It looked like Namgung Bi-ah had barely managed to block it.

However.

“…I lost.”

Strangely, it was Eunranggeom who declared defeat.

The sparring match wasn’t over yet, so why was he mentioning defeat?

As everyone pondered the question.

“…Miss, I have one question for you.”

He asked Namgung Bi-ah with a greatly surprised expression.

“Since when, exactly?”

“…”

At first, no answer came. However, Eunranggeom repeated his question, determined to get an answer.

“Since when, exactly…”

His voice trembled.

“Did you plant a heart sword (心劍) behind my neck?”

Eunranggeom couldn’t move even slightly.

If he moved even a little here, the intangible blade teasing him from behind his neck would move.

Eunranggeom asked, sensing it only now.

Hearing that, Namgung Bi-ah said.

“…From the beginning…”

“…”

It was an answer that naturally made one lose the will to fight.