Chapter v20c21

## The Fated Duel Begins

– Fail to Perceive, and You Die

*Clang!*

Namgung-Sang drew his sword, Seom-Roe (Flashing Thunder), its blade gleaming like frost on a winter morning. His gaze, sharp and focused, was fixed on the beautiful woman in her thirties, one of the pillars of the martial arts world.

“That’s a fine sword.”

“Thank you.”

Her name was Jin So-Ryeong, a woman as beautiful as a celestial fairy, yet possessing the dignified aura of the Nine Heavens Fairy of the Jade Pool. Everyone who knew her called her the Emei Goddess, a title that reflected both her beauty and her exceptional swordsmanship.

Her sword, drawn from its scabbard, was an extension of herself. Her treasured blade, Ok-Hyeon (Jade Mystery), emanated an invisible sword energy that pressed down on Namgung-Sang, its subtle glow captivating the audience. The duel was about to begin.

“We’ve finally come this far.”

He said, his voice filled with emotion. She felt the same way.

“We’re finally facing each other with our swords drawn.”

He nodded.

“Yes. It’s been a long and arduous journey.”

It had been.

“I never imagined that you would die and come back to life. You’re full of surprises.”

“T-that was unexpected, Aunt.”

He replied politely. But his words couldn’t change the past.

“Don’t call me that. I’m not your aunt yet. Save that title for when you defeat me.”

She warned him, her voice calm but firm.

‘So I can’t just wing it?’

He should have known.

Ever since he had received that accursed letter, he had been living in a constant state of anxiety. Today would determine whether he would be freed from his torment or swallowed whole by the abyss.

One thing was certain: if he lost, his Eldest Senior Brother wouldn’t let him live it down. And Jin-Ryeong might join him this time.

“Are you ready?”

She asked, her voice low.

“I’m ready. Come.”

He tightened his grip on his sword.

“I promised to only use the Sword Control Technique, right? I won’t object, since it was our agreement.”

The duel had a handicap, and they had both agreed to it.

“Of course not.”

He was lying.

“I already know your secret weapon. You should take that into account.”

She was referring to his “super senses,” the ability that had impressed her and earned him her respect.

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

He replied confidently.

* * *

*Emei Sect Secret Sword Art.*

*Chaos Flower Sword.*

*Secret Technique.*

*Sword Control Technique.*

* * *

“Flying Lotus!”

*Whoosh!*

Her sword shot up into the air like a silverfish, then began to dance, creating intricate patterns in the air. Her ability to control her sword with such precision meant that her sword control technique had reached the level of Transcendence.

“Oooooh!”

The crowd gasped, mesmerized by her skill. But her beautiful display of swordsmanship was a deadly dance, a kiss of death for her opponent.

* * *

“Wow! He’s dodging them all!”

Namgung San-San exclaimed, watching the duel unfold.

“He’s not bad. His training paid off.”

Hyun-Woon replied.

*Poke, poke!*

She felt a sharp pain in her side.

“Ow! What was that?”

It was Jin-Ryeong.

“I’m too nervous to watch. How’s he doing, San-San?”

She asked, her hands covering her face.

“He’s amazing!”

“What’s amazing?”

“He’s still alive!”

She replied emphatically.

“That’s not what I meant!”

Jin-Ryeong shouted, her eyes still covered.

“Why are you shouting? It’s hurting my ears. Just watch if you’re so curious. Reality doesn’t disappear just because you ignore it. It’s better to face it head-on than to worry yourself sick, don’t you think?”

“No, I don’t!”

She shouted back.

“Tsk, tsk, poor Sang.”

Namgung San-San said, clicking her tongue.

“Why?”

Jin-Ryeong had to ask.

“Even his own girlfriend doesn’t believe in him. If she trusted him, she wouldn’t be so scared. Don’t you think? My poor brother.”

“No! I believe in him!”

She shouted again. Her hands had lowered, revealing her eyes.

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

The crowd roared again. Jin So-Ryeong’s sword, which had been relentlessly pursuing Namgung-Sang, suddenly split in two.

‘Two Swords Division!’

Jin-Ryeong saw the two swords, now separated, changing their trajectory, threatening her lover.

“He’s in danger!”

Her eyes widened in alarm.

* * *

Her Flying Lotus technique was a sight to behold.

She extended her sword horizontally, and a sense of stillness descended upon the arena. The crowd’s gaze was fixed on the tip of her blade.

And then flower petals began to rain down from the sky. Her sword tip was trembling, vibrating at an imperceptible frequency. And then twelve streaks of light exploded outwards. Namgung-Sang, caught off guard, hastily raised his sword to deflect the incoming sword energy.

“Watch out, behind you…!”

Before he could finish his warning, a sword appeared behind Namgung-Sang. The falling snow and the exploding sword energy had all been a distraction, a feint to conceal the sword’s true movement.

He hastily swung his sword, creating a barrier of blades to block the attack. But it wasn’t over.

The Two Swords Division technique had arrived.

‘I won’t fall for that again!’

He had experienced this technique hundreds of times during the past two weeks. It was etched into his memory. His body knew the best way to dodge it. He moved calmly, his footwork precise, avoiding the two swords that were flying towards him.

Jin So-Ryeong was surprised to see him counter her secret technique so easily.

“Impressive. You countered it so easily?”

He smiled wryly.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it the first time. But after a hundred repetitions, I developed a knack for it. The human body’s adaptability is amazing. I managed to survive and counter it.”

“Oh? You must have trained under a renowned master!”

There weren’t many people in the martial arts world who could use the Two Swords Division technique.

“Renowned master, my ass!”

Yeomdo muttered, grinding his teeth.

“Just admit you’re jealous.”

Bing Geom said, his voice flat. But there was a hint of smugness in his expression.

Jin So-Ryeong’s expression turned serious.

“Your skills are commendable. But don’t get cocky yet. Save that for after you block this.”

She hadn’t revealed her true strength yet. This was just the beginning.

* * *

“He’s gotten faster!”

Hyun-Woon muttered, impressed by his friend’s speed. He felt a pang of anxiety, seeing the gap between them widen.

“He’s amazing! I almost missed it.”

Tang-Sam was equally surprised.

“Your feet have to be fast if you want your sword to be fast. It’s useless to have a fast sword if your feet are slow.”

Bing Geom nodded, satisfied. His training had paid off.

“You can’t do anything if you can’t close the distance. I told him repeatedly to draw his opponent into his range. It seems like he remembered.”

“Hmph, are you picking a fight?”

Yeomdo said, frowning.

“Ah! Now that you mention it, Master always scolded you for having slow feet!”

Bing Geom said, his expression still impassive. He wished he had thought of it sooner. He could have teased him for much longer.

“Y-you ice block!”

Yeomdo’s face turned red.

“Hmph! But the scary thing about the Sword Control Technique is its wide range. Do you think he can dodge it forever?”

“We’ll see.”

Jin So-Ryeong raised her index finger again.

“Can you block this too?”

*Whoosh!*

Her swords, hovering in the air, split in two again. Now there were four of them.

“Can you handle this?”

Namgung-Sang’s eyes widened.

“Gasp! Four Swords Division!”

Even Bing Geom was surprised. He hadn’t expected this.

“What do you think, ice block? Do you have a countermeasure for this?”

“…”

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“I don’t have a countermeasure for the Four Swords Division.”

Bing Geom’s voice was heavy.

“Then I’ll attack!”

Jin So-Ryeong declared.

“No, wait… You don’t have to…”

Namgung-Sang said.

But she didn’t seem to hear him.

* * *

*Emei Sect Secret Sword Art.*

*Chaos Flower Sword.*

*Secret Technique.*

*Sword Control Technique.*

*Flying Lotus Four Lotus Shadows.*

* * *

Four lotuses bloomed in the air, their petals scattering like a shower of flower petals.

“Attack, Four Lotuses!”

The petals, carried by a strong wind, rained down on Namgung-Sang.

* * *

“That’s dangerous.”

Bing Geom said, his voice tense. He hadn’t expected her to be this strong.

‘I should have prepared him for a more difficult situation…’

He regretted not pushing him harder during training.

“See? Complacency leads to disaster. If he loses, it’s your fault.”

Yeomdo said.

“Will he be okay, Young Master Namgung?”

Na Ye-Rin asked.

“He has to be.”

Bi Ryu-Yeon replied.

* * *

‘I can see them!’

Despite the imminent danger, Namgung-Sang stared at the deadly petals, his eyes wide open. His senses, honed to their peak by his recent breakthrough into the initial stage of the Mind’s Eye, were incredibly sharp. His investment had paid off. So…

‘There’s only one problem!’

Could his body move faster than the petals?

‘Don’t fail me now, body!’

He moved, pushing himself to his limit.

* * *

*Namgung Family Secret Movement Technique.*

*Shadow Flash Steps Secret Technique.*

*Lightning Scatter.*

* * *

His figure blurred, leaving behind a trail of afterimages, as he zigzagged backwards.

It was the Shadow Flash Steps, a movement technique as fast as a flash of lightning.

“H-he’s so fast!”

Hyun-Woon, who had underestimated his friend’s speed, was forced to reevaluate his judgment.

‘I-I can’t believe it!’

He felt a sense of urgency, realizing that he was falling behind.

‘No risk, no reward…’

He felt a tightness in his chest.

“Is this the difference between those who take risks and those who don’t…?”

He had pitied Namgung-Sang, who had endured hardship and ridicule during his training. But now he was the one who needed pity.

* * *

“I can’t believe it. He dodged it!”

Jin So-Ryeong was shocked. Her secret technique had failed.

“It was just luck. I wasn’t confident this time.”

She shook her head at his modesty.

“No, you dodged it with your own skill. You’re impressive.”

“N-no, I’m still far from your level…”

He replied humbly.

“I have to acknowledge your skill.”

“D-does that mean you approve?”

He asked, his face brightening.

“Yes. Block one more attack, and I’ll approve.”

“One more attack…?”

“It’s one of my recent achievements. I’m honored to show it to you. It’s my first time using it in public, so please forgive any imperfections.”

‘No way…’

He hoped she wasn’t going to do what he thought she was going to do, but his hopes were dashed.

Her sword, which had merged back into one, split into two, then four, then eight.

Eight swords danced in the air, creating eight beautiful lotuses.

“Eight Swords Division…”

It was the final transformation of the Flying Lotus technique, the ultimate form of the Sword Control Technique.

She was demonstrating the true potential of the Sword Control Technique, a technique that could be used in countless ways, depending on the user’s skill.

“What do you say? Will you surrender? If you admit defeat now, I might spare your life.”

He shook his head.

“I won’t give up. I’m going to die anyway if I surrender. So I might as well fight fate to the end.”

He said, his eyes filled with determination.

“You have guts. Then take this.”

* * *

*Emei Sect Secret Sword Art.*

*Chaos Flower Sword.*

*Secret Technique.*

*Sword Control Technique.*

*Flying Lotus Eight Lotus Bloom Chaos Flower Heaven Fill.*

* * *

The eight lotuses bloomed in the sky, their petals scattering, filling the air with sword light.

* * *

“What are you going to do now, ice block?”

Yeomdo asked.

“I should buy some incense.”

Bing Geom replied nonchalantly.

“Why incense?”

“We should offer our condolences, shouldn’t we?”

* * *

Even the Shadow Flash Steps, as fast as lightning, were useless against the shower of flower petals that filled the arena. It was like running through the rain. No matter how fast you ran, you would still get wet.

‘Then I’ll use a sword barrier…’

He hastily activated his life-saving technique, Dense Star Curtain.

But each petal, seemingly light and delicate, contained immense power. His sword barrier couldn’t withstand the onslaught.

*Clang!*

“Ugh!”

His sword, the only one he had left, was knocked out of his hand, the force of the impact sending it spinning through the air like a pinwheel.

* * *

Jin-Ryeong’s face paled. Her eyes were filled with despair. She screamed.

“Noooooooooooo!”

It was a scream of anguish.

“It’s over!”

Someone shouted. Everyone nodded. There was no hope left. Or so they thought. Except for two people.

“Not yet!”

Bi Ryu-Yeon shouted, jumping to his feet.

Namgung-Sang’s sword, which had been knocked into the air, suddenly began to move, as if it had a will of its own. He was desperate. He pushed himself to his limit, risking his life. And he broke through.

* * *

“Do you know what the greatest advantage of the Sword Control Technique is? It’s unpredictability. Surprise! An invisible move! An unimaginable move!”

* * *

“Wooooooooooooh!”

He reached out with both hands, summoning his sword. He believed that there was a connection between him and his sword, and he threw his arms forward, as if casting a fishing line. His sword, Seom-Roe, responded to his call.

*Whoosh!*

It flew like a living arrow, like a silverfish swimming upstream, soaring through the vast sky, spinning, turning, accelerating, until it stopped right behind Jin So-Ryeong’s neck. And then, leaving behind a single mark, it plunged to the ground, its energy spent.

“Huff… huff… huff…”

He collapsed, his energy drained, his body as dry as sand. His legs, unable to support him any longer, buckled, and he fell to the ground.

“Sang!”

Jin-Ryeong, startled, rushed towards him. She thought he was dead, she would later recall. He looked like he had burned himself out, leaving nothing behind.

Bi Ryu-Yeon smiled.

“He finally broke through one limit. The limit he had set for himself for twenty years. I wonder when he’ll break through the next one.”

He wanted to tell his disciple that this was just the beginning. Fortunately, Namgung-Sang, unconscious, couldn’t hear him. But his subconscious must have been awake, because he shuddered, nestled in Jin-Ryeong’s arms. It happened so quickly that no one noticed.

“How… how is this possible…?”

Jin So-Ryeong stared at Namgung-Sang’s pale, peaceful face, nestled in her niece’s arms. She was still in disbelief.

It was an outcome she had never imagined, even in her wildest simulations. He had exceeded her expectations.

Bing Geom answered her unspoken question.

“Hero Jin, the best way to understand something is to experience it yourself. If you thought that experiencing the Sword Control Technique meant simply blocking it, you were mistaken. That’s just scratching the surface. You can’t reach its essence that way. There’s no better way to understand it than to learn it yourself. That’s the true experience.”

“You mean you taught him?”

“It’s a pale imitation of your mastery of the Eight Swords Division, but yes.”

“That’s amazing. You went to such lengths to defeat me. I’m impressed. One side had their moves read, the other side didn’t. It’s only natural that the side that was read lost.”

“That’s not true.”

Bing Geom shook his head.

“Why not?”

“It would have been impossible to defeat a master like you just by reading your moves. So we focused on training his body to embody the possibility of victory that we had perceived.”

“We…? It’s strange to hear you say ‘we,’ Master Bing Geom, who’s always been as solitary as a winter orchid. I’m curious who managed to change you.”

His face hardened slightly.

“That’s none of your concern, Hero Jin. It’s a trivial matter that will only waste your precious mental energy. It’s better not to know.”

He replied sternly. His reaction was even more unfamiliar to her.

“I have to admit defeat.”

She looked up at the sky.

“I was overconfident… I forgot that there’s always a higher sky, while I was secluded in the mountains.”

That was when Namgung-Sang regained consciousness.

“Sang, are you awake?”

“W-where am I…?”

“You’re still on the platform.”

“Huh? The platform? What happened to the duel?”

He asked, sitting up abruptly, as if he had been jolted awake.

“…You won, Sang!”

“I won?”

He pointed at himself, still in disbelief.

“Yes, you won.”

Jin So-Ryeong walked towards him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Namgung-Sang, you won. Please… take good care of Jin-Ryeong.”

“T-thank you, Aunt!”

She didn’t correct him this time.

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Jin-Ryeong burst into tears.