Chapter v9c24

The duel (which could hardly be called a duel by the looks of it) had been agreed upon by Bi Ryu Yeon and Ice Sword, and they moved to a place out of the sight of onlookers, as per Ice Sword’s request.

“Is this the first time we’ve met since that day? It feels like it’s been over a year and a half.”

Bi Ryu Yeon was the first to speak, feeling that waiting for Ice Sword to start the conversation would be nearly impossible.

“Indeed! It seems like the first time since we met at Hoa Jang!”

Ever since Ice Sword had seen Bi Ryu Yeon appear at Hoa Jang with Yeomdo, he had been intrigued by him. And how absurd it felt when he heard that afterwards, Bi Ryu Yeon and Yeomdo were inseparable like glue.

‘Could he be some illegitimate child born out of an affair? That solitary warrior Yeomdo sticking to a kid like glue…’

It wasn’t unreasonable to have such suspicions. Yeomdo was known to detest the company of others. That made the existence of Bi Ryu Yeon all the more curious.

‘Now I’ll find out!’

Ice Sword’s eyes grew cold and began to emit a blue hue, a phenomenon that occurred when he summoned his cold energy.

It was the first time Bi Ryu Yeon had seen him since that day, but Ice Sword had seen Bi Ryu Yeon several times. However, this was the first time they had been close enough to have a conversation.

The blue divine sword exuded a cold chill!

Click!

Ice Sword slightly drew his beloved sword, Bing Lu, from its sheath.

Swoosh!

Even that simple movement stirred up a storm of frigid sword energy. His silver-blue martial attire began to flutter, though there was no wind under the still sky.

“Ice Spirit Guard!”

With a swing of his sword, Ice Sword unleashed dozens of streams of cold energy from the blade, stretching out in all directions.

It was certainly a technique used by Kwan Seol Ji during the Samsung Muje sword competition, but the quality of the technique was as different as heaven and earth from hers. The cold energy radiating from the tip of the sword threatened Bi Ryu Yeon with a power of a different class.

Bi Ryu Yeon had to prepare a martial skill of corresponding strength. It was only proper etiquette towards a fellow warrior.

‘Fight economically!’

According to the teachings of the Bireyo sect, one should avoid head-on confrontations with strong forces as much as possible. Bi Ryu Yeon had no desire to break these teachings with unnecessary rebellion, not being in the rebellious phase of adolescence.

‘The stronger the attack, the bigger the opening when it fails!’

With a larger technique came corresponding threats that had to be faced. Creating those openings artificially was the true role of the Bireyo sect’s unique movement technique, the Phoenix Dance.

Bireyo sect’s unique footwork technique, the Phoenix Dance

Chapter of Formlessness and Tracelessness

Suddenly, Bi Ryu Yeon’s form seemed to sink into the ground and disappear. Any powerful technique was useless if it did not hit its target.

“Eh? This… This can’t be!”

Ice Sword was taken aback by this sudden turn of events, but it was impossible to track down Bi Ryu Yeon’s whereabouts immediately.

Boom!

Where Bi Ryu Yeon had just been standing, the frigid cold energy of the sword swirled fiercely, wasting precious energy needlessly.

“It’s refreshing!”

That was Bi Ryu Yeon’s assessment after having faced Ice Sword’s blade. Ice Sword was blocked.

‘Has there ever been someone so bold in front of me at that age?’

Ice Sword was genuinely surprised.

They were always overwhelmed by his energy, shrinking back. But Bi Ryu Yeon seemed as if nothing had happened, remaining calm and composed.

“What makes you so confident?”

Ice Sword asked with a cold voice.

“I believe in my fists, my legs, and my martial arts!”

“You’re delusional!”

He was a brash one, reaching for the skies with his arrogance. It was naturally displeasing.

“Flattery!”

Bi Ryu Yeon shouted back confidently.

“I’m curious if you can still afford to be relaxed after my next attack.”

Ice Sword readied his sword again. All the moves he had revealed so far were defensive techniques converted into offensive ones, naturally diminishing their attack power. But now, he was about to use the most extreme offensive moves from the Ice Spirit Flow Sword, the pinnacle of sword techniques, crafted solely for attack. Ice Sword was serious about using these ultimate moves.

“Ice God Needles!”

The chilling cold turned into thousands of sharp needles, firing off in all directions.

Phoenix Dance ultimate technique

Soaring Phoenix Rise to Heaven

Suddenly, Bi Ryu Yeon spun at a speed that made him nearly invisible, creating a whirlwind around him. The needles of cold energy shot by Ice Sword were caught in the whirlwind and scattered aimlessly.

‘This can’t be!’

Ice Sword couldn’t believe it.

“Ice God Needles!”

The bluish cold on his sword turned into thousands of larger and thicker ice spikes than the previous needles, pouring towards Bi Ryu Yeon.

It was an overkill for a technique meant to not take life. Perhaps he was too agitated by the miss of his first, heartfelt attack, the Ice God Needles.

“Oh no! Oh no!”

Bi Ryu Yeon felt an urgent need to move faster. Deciding to act swiftly, his body became blurred.

Boom!

Once again, Ice Sword’s finishing move ravaged the ground. The impact made the earth tremble and a cloud of dust rose, obscuring the view.

“Did I go too far?”

Only after unleashing his sword energy did Ice Sword realize he had forgotten to hold back. Failing to control the strength in his sword was something that hadn’t happened to him in a long time.

Looking anxiously at where Bi Ryu Yeon had been, Ice Sword was soon able to breathe a sigh of relief. The dust cleared and Bi Ryu Yeon was standing there, unharmed. Ice Sword had mixed feelings about this.

“Now it’s getting a bit cold!”

That was Bi Ryu Yeon’s light-hearted comment after experiencing Ice Sword’s chilling sword energy, said to freeze bones and souls alike. Of course, no one would consider this a proper evaluation.

‘It was a perfect execution of the technique…’

Surprisingly, Bi Ryu Yeon had managed to evade the encircling ice attack that Ice Sword had unleashed. This forced Ice Sword to completely reassess his prior knowledge of Bi Ryu Yeon as just a kid. The first and second of Baek Bing Shin Jeong, which could be considered a secret move within his repertoire, was not a trivial technique that just anyone could avoid.

“Remarkable lad! To withstand my sword and make it this far…”

Ice Sword had not had to extend his techniques beyond five seconds in recent years. Yet here was this youngster, who had not even made a name for himself, withstanding his sword for more than five seconds.

“This is just the basics!”

Even after receiving a full-on strike from Ice Sword, one of the world’s five great swordsmen, Bi Ryu Yeon seemed to still have some ease about him. Ice Sword looked at him anew.

Indeed, how many could stand so boldly before him, and among them, how many could withstand his sword to this extent?

Although he disapproved of Bi Ryu Yeon boasting about defeating Yeomdo, he had to admit the kid was extraordinary. Unlike the rumors, he indeed had the credentials to talk big.

‘At such a young age, to achieve this level? Is that even possible? If not, does he have some unique constitution? Or… could it be…’

Suddenly, the face of his master appeared before Ice Sword’s eyes.

‘Do you truly have the qualifications to be its master?’

Ice Sword could not accept it.

‘If that’s the case…’

The aura and chill emanating from Ice Sword intensified. It was incomparable to his previous energy.

“So you were holding back after all?”

Bi Ryu Yeon made a comment after noticing this.

“I’m not foolish enough to use my full strength against a kid!”

Ice Sword’s response was as cold as ever. The word ‘kid’ made Bi Ryu Yeon’s sword edge twitch slightly.

“One last question!”

“Yes! Ask away!”

Bi Ryu Yeon responded readily.

“Under which master did you study?”

The techniques Bi Ryu Yeon used were something even Ice Sword, with his extensive knowledge, had never seen before.

“Long ago, in a deep, secluded mountain, there lived a very grumpy and spiteful master. I learned from him. Those were really tough days. I always had to support my master, sustain the sect… It was a continuous journey of hardship and asceticism.”

Bi Ryu Yeon spoke with a distant gaze, indicating that the past was not a fond memory for him.

“Serving one’s master is a disciple’s duty!”

Ice Sword spoke with a cold voice.

“You sound just like my master. He always said that when he made me work.”

Even upon reflection, it was a continuity of hardships he’d rather not remember.

“What is the name of your sect, then?”

Ice Sword asked again, unable to contain his curiosity about which hermit could have produced such a monster.

“Well, it’s a modest sect with just my master and me, so knowing it won’t be of much use to you.”

“Are you reluctant to say more?”

“Isn’t it against the martial world’s code to pry into a sect someone wishes to keep hidden?”

Indeed, it was. It wasn’t the way of the martial world. Many in the martial world chose to live in seclusion, away from conflicts, preserving the lineage of their unique skills in silence. Therefore, unless necessary, it was not customary to probe or question about such hermits.

“There’s always an exception! We cannot allow someone of uncertain origin into Cheonmu Academy.”

While it was a somewhat forced argument, it was a fact.

Suddenly, Ice Sword remembered the words of the Sword Master Gongson Il-chu.

“Do you know of that boy Bi Ryu Yeon?”

Ice Sword had to think back for a moment at the Sword Master’s question.

“Ah, yes! The very one who luckily won the Samsung Muje, right?”

“Do not take your eyes off that boy!”

It was a clear caution and warning.

“What do you mean?”

Ice Sword was puzzled. Who could make the revered Sword Master Gongson Il-chu speak so cautiously?

“Haha, just don’t lower your guard. I have a feeling he might be carrying something preposterous on his back. It’s just a hunch, but there’s no harm in being cautious, right? Haha, just consider it an old man’s unfounded worries.”

These were words that could not just be ignored. At that time, the Sword Master had not forgotten the last technique Bi Ryu Yeon displayed in the final round of the Samsung Muje. It had been etched in his mind ever since, stirring up painful memories from his past. That’s why, out of concern, he had cautioned Ice Sword.

“Yes…”

Back then, it was truly puzzling. It was strange that a figure as prominent as the Sword Master showed interest in a young man who had suddenly made a name for himself at the Samsung Muje, almost coming from obscurity.

“Isn’t it enough to have a reliable guarantor of identity?”

Bi Ryu Yeon asked, looking at Ice Sword.

“Do you mean to say you have someone who can vouch for your identity?”

“Of course. Isn’t it a bit dismissive to assume I don’t have at least one person who can vouch for me, even if I’m an unverified warrior of the martial world?”

Bi Ryu Yeon protested.

“Then bring them before me right now!”

“Wouldn’t that be quite displeasing to you?”

“There is no reason for me to feel displeasure in meeting your guarantor of identity!”

Ice Sword answered decisively.

“You might get angry when you see them. Are you sure that’s alright?”

“It doesn’t matter!”

“Even if it leads to a fight?”

“That won’t happen. Don’t worry!”

Ice Sword responded once more with firmness.

“Then—”

Bi Ryu Yeon was about to continue when suddenly,

“Wait! Stop!”

A voice echoed through the hall, a voice that both men recognized, halting their movements. Ice Sword’s beloved sword, Bing lu, began to resonate with a ‘zing’ sound.

“Oh! You’ve arrived just in time.”

Bi Ryu Yeon turned around with a bright smile.

It was the entrance of Yeomdo. Somehow, he had found this place. Bi Ryu Yeon greeted him with a wide smile.

“Let me introduce you! This is my guarantor of identity, Master Yeomdo.”

Bi Ryu Yeon’s confident introduction left Ice Sword in a state of shock.

“You… You’re this child’s guarantor of identity?”

Ice Sword’s composure was cracking.

“Is there something wrong? It’s true!”

Yeomdo answered with a brusque tone, and Ice Sword felt a headache coming on.

“Are you satisfied now?”

Bi Ryu Yeon’s grinning face left Ice Sword without further arguments.

“Yes, I’m satisfied! But there’s still something to be settled, isn’t there?”

Ice Sword still hadn’t sheathed his sword. His intention was clear: he wanted to conclude their unfinished business.

“Of course! There’s definitely something left to settle. Don’t forget the promise we made earlier!”

“If you can win!”

Ice Sword’s curt reply implied that Bi Ryu Yeon would have to win to enforce the promise.

“You damned brat! What’s your angle?”

Yeomdo burst out angrily as soon as he saw Ice Sword. Ice Sword’s retort was cold.

“Don’t interfere! I’m just doing what I must!”

“What did you say?”

Yeomdo was incensed. As always, Ice Sword was unpleasant to remember, to think about, to encounter.

“Excuse me…?”

Bi Ryu Yeon cautiously began to speak amidst the tense atmosphere.

“Let’s not fight! Why argue with words when you have good fists to use? I’ll give you the same deal. Last time I faced a ball of fire, it was my right leg, so this time my right arm should suffice, right?”

With his unique unsettling smile, Bi Ryu Yeon took off the Ink Dragon Bracelet he wore on his right arm.

Thud!

The sound of the Ink Dragon Bracelet hitting the ground was heavy. Ice Sword’s sharp blue-tinted blade twitched.

‘This guy? What’s he doing? What’s his true identity?’

It seemed that a conclusion wouldn’t be reached until they directly clashed.

Ugh!

(TLN: bro his sword was translated is bing baek .bing lu .and bing ling wth, i changed them all to bing lu tho)

From Ice Sword’s beloved sword, Bing Lu, a dazzling white light and crystals of ice began to scatter. Yeomdo knew very well what that stance was—the beginning of a sword technique. But even he had rarely faced that technique head-on.

‘Is he… Is he really going to use that? What kind of deep resentment does he have?’

It was one of the ultimate moves that were rarely used unless absolutely necessary. It was also the technique that had elevated him to the status of one of the Five Great Swordsmen of the world.

“Fine! I will personally verify if you are indeed the talent who can unify the Taeguk with this next move!”

Ice Sword’s declaration caused Yeomdo’s eyes to widen. His eyes, almost popping out, turned back to Bi Ryu Yeon.

“The… The talent of Taeguk!”

Yeomdo’s eyes bulged.

“I keep telling you, I’m not that person!”

Paba-bat!

Bi Ryu Yeon did not back down and clashed head-on with Ice Sword’s ultimate technique.

Kwakwang!

A blinding white light burst forth, as if to swallow heaven and earth.