NOVEL NEXT Chapter 745
Chapter 745: Dark Heaven Village
After briefly exchanging opinions with the Zhuge Clan, I sent Tang San into the sparring match.
‘He should win.’
Even if Tang San struggled against Peng Zuo in their battle, he was still the absolute being who dominated the Sichuan Martial World and a master of the Absolute Realm. Anyone would predict that against Sagong Lin, who had been merely the escort leader of a lower sect five years ago, Tang San would undoubtedly emerge victorious. Normally, one would think sending Seo Mun-hye would suffice to secure the win, but I decided to exercise caution and sent Tang San instead.
Although Tang San hadn’t yet completely mastered the Formless Poison, it was more than enough. Such was the significance of being a master of the Absolute Realm.
Once he won this fight, he could instantly retrieve all the information!
However, as the spar began and about twenty seconds passed, the atmosphere in the arena shifted dramatically.
Da-da-dang!
Tang San manipulated the Formless Silver Threads of the Sichuan Maple Mirror to attack Sagong Lin, yet she calmly defended using the Wind Spirit Sect’s sword technique. It was clearly an unusual sight that made me question my eyes.
‘Her internal energy… her intent… can she really match Tang San?!’
I had invested a substantial amount of the spiritual pills I possessed into Tang San, and had trained him rapidly in a secret space of the Shaolin Temple. Moreover, he had diligently worked hard for several years, significantly improving his intent and skills, so it was only normal for him to be nearly unmatched in the current Martial World. Even against the legendary Miyamoto Musashi during his prime, I thought Tang San would hold his own.
But now, the once fledgling Sagong Lin was blocking all of Tang San’s internal energy, techniques, and intent with the Wind Spirit Sect’s sword technique?!
Of course, Tang San wasn’t using all his strength yet; he was merely fighting at a leisurely pace. Still, it was evident she had transcended the peak expert level. I was momentarily thrown into confusion.
‘Only five years…?’
Given Sagong Lin’s opponent, it was not impossible. Tang San too had skyrocketed from obscurity to the Absolute Realm in less than a decade. However, considering his innate talent as a top-level martial artist and my unwavering support, it was also not the norm.
While it was said Sagong Lin was a master at the peak level, could she really leapfrog from there to a level where she could contend with the Absolute Realm in just five years? Yet here was Sagong Lin before me, demonstrating the impossible.
Just then, Tang San halted his attacks and stepped back, speaking,
“While it resembles the Wind Spirit Sect’s Wind Horse Sword Technique, it isn’t.”
“What on earth is it, then?”
“This is the Wind God Sword Form.”
In a succinct reply, Sagong Lin said,
“Let’s see if you can handle this.”
Crack!
With a sound like a thunderclap, Sagong Lin charged at Tang San, assuming the form of Unity of Body and Sword. Tang San rushed to defend against the attack, sensing the energy of the Thunder God mixed within it, but Sagong Lin didn’t stop there; she spun and unleashed a series of attacks.
Ka-gang!
Ka-gang!
Tang San spread the Formless Silver Threads as if they were a shield, managing to withstand Sagong Lin’s onslaught, but he no longer appeared overwhelmingly dominant. Naturally, Sagong Lin’s sword style was a chaotic blend that transformed with each basic technique, making it nearly unreadable.
“Tsk, here…”
In the end, Tang San abandoned his tactics based solely on the clan’s secret arts and began employing the arts of the Thunder God. As he unleashed his intent and the Thunderclap technique with ferocity, Sagong Lin started to find herself on the defensive. Then she poised herself, quietly muttering as she entered the realm of Heart Command Technique.
“Change! Thunder God Sword Form.”
Crackle!
It happened in an instant. As Tang San attacked with the Thunderclap, he severely injured one of his fingers, staggering backward. It was as if Sagong Lin’s counter arrived right at the moment Tang San left himself open.
“Fahe Technique?”
Tang San spoke, incredulous.
“Surely, you can’t mean… you’ve integrated all of the Four Great Families’ techniques into that sword form?”
“Precisely.”
Sagong Lin replied coldly, showing no trace of emotion.
“The technique created by my master: the Four Divine Sword Form! If it’s the techniques of the Four Great Families, I can cast the Fahe at will.”
“……”
“You thought you could easily defeat me using the techniques of the Thunder God, but you’ve just become my perfect prey.”
Tang San’s expression darkened. He had risen rapidly through the ranks of the Thunder God lineage, achieving the level of the Absolute Realm, but if the Thunder God’s techniques could be countered, he had no idea how to fight going forward. Reluctantly, he began countering with the Bowing Sky Slash and began to use the Seven Great Techniques, but it seemed to fall short against the adaptability of Sagong Lin’s sword form.
I gazed at Yong Junil, sitting in the distance, with a complicated look.
‘That guy has been hiding this all along…’
From the first encounter when he mentioned the sword form and attacked me, I felt something was off, but I never expected him to pursue the Fahe of all the Four Great Families! Additionally, it appeared that the true potential of the Four Divine Sword Form hadn’t yet been revealed, leaving me uncertain about Yong Junil’s actual enlightenment.
I sent a message to Tang San.
[Draw out the fight for as long as you can. I need to observe the Four Divine Sword Form.]
[……]
[What’s wrong?]
[This isn’t something to take lightly… this person…]
Tang San looked greatly bewildered. His response indicated he had encountered an unexpected strong adversary, which was strange considering his typically confident demeanor. Even if Sagong Lin was utilizing the Four Divine Sword Form, it should still have been manageable using the Seven Great Techniques. So why was he acting like this?
Tat-tat-tat!
But I quickly understood the reason as their battle approached two hundred and fifty seconds.
Whir!
Tang San’s countless threads of Formless Silver danced, minding Sagong Lin’s life, yet she, at that moment, unleashed the Four Divine Sword Form, cycling through Fire God, Thunder God, and Water God in sequence. When she completed the transition, Tang San’s torso became hollow, and just a simple poke from her posed a deadly threat to him.
The real problem arose when Tang San attempted to defend against Sagong Lin’s jab. Using the bulletproof shield from the True Martial Seven Cuts Classic, he evaded with the Seven Stars Shadow, while simultaneously utilizing the Heavenly Contraction Sword technique to adjust the distance. Normally speaking, this level of skill should have easily defended against any attack, but unexpectedly, Sagong Lin triggered the Four Divine Sword Form once more, creating a strange transformation in her sword!
Pip!
“……!!”
At that moment, I felt a heavy shock to my head. Sagong Lin’s single strike pierced through the essence of the Seven Great Techniques, setting up yet another Fahe! What seemed utterly impossible was akin to reading the Absolute Martial Arts of Jang Sam-bong right then and there. From now on, any technique belonging to the Seven Great Techniques would be utterly defeated by Sagong Lin’s sword!
Who would have thought that the Bowing Sky Slash could artificially disrupt the flow of space yet again?
‘This… martial arts that kill martial arts!’
Could it be Yong Junil’s hidden ace, the Four Divine Sword Form?!
Swish!
Tang San narrowly avoided a strike to his shoulder. Suddenly, his face twisted into one of rage as he took his stance.
“Graah, let’s see just how formidable your Four Divine Sword Form really is!”
A low rumbling echoed.
I realized his stance resembled the Thousand Fires in the Sky technique. With that stance, and the tainted energy he seemed to unleash, it was clear he had resolved to eliminate his opponent with his full strength.
The fact that he held such killing intent — he was shedding the restraint of using only orthodox martial arts techniques and had decided to annihilate his foe with all his might.
‘This is dangerous!’
Up until now, Tang San hadn’t fought to his full potential. He was, after all, a master of the Absolute Realm specializing in lethal and clandestine techniques; if he truly went all out, no matter how much he tried to show restraint, it would inevitably turn into a massacre, and that was the fate of any expert in poison techniques. For this friendly spar, he’d been limiting himself tremendously, yet now with this release, his combat power would soar drastically.
It wasn’t just about increasing combat capability.
Formless Poison!
Tang San had yet to fully master the Formless Poison, but he could still refine the world’s strongest poison with his intent. As the unrivaled secret technique and the strongest skill of the Tang Sect, combining the Formless Poison with the Thousand Fires of the Sky would undoubtedly lead to Sagong Lin’s demise or incapacitation!
‘What the hell! What do I do?’
The problem lay in how Sagong Lin had pricked Tang San’s pride. If they were evenly matched or if Sagong Lin was significantly weaker, it wouldn’t matter, but the fact that she possessed enough strength to tarnish Tang San’s pride was the issue.
Though Sagong Lin was strong now, one wouldn’t consider her to have truly surpassed the peak. I could vividly foresee Tang San turning her into a neatly sliced piece of bait or just a trickle of venom should they face off head-on. It was still too early for Sagong Lin to confront Tang San directly.
Even so, I couldn’t let it end with Sagong Lin dying pitifully in a friendly spar. I was about to shout to Tang San to stop, but before I could, Yong Junil, watching from the sidelines, let out a Lion’s Roar.
[Stop!!]
Startled,
Yong Junil’s Lion’s Roar contained intent and restraint so that Tang San halted just as he was about to unleash his technique. Glaring at Yong Junil with a displeased expression, Yong Junil stood up from his seat and bowed to Tang San.
“……”
Tang San lingered uncertainly, still holding onto disbelief. His expression writ as though anger churned within him. If there was ever a moment that displayed how Tang San instigated a bloodbath across the Sichuan Martial World, I sensed it was now.
I patted Tang San’s shoulder.
“It’s alright. Everyone knows you’re stronger than her.”
“…Damn it.”
Slap!
Tang San clenched his teeth, then unleashed the Soul Removal Technique and vanished somewhere. Clearly, he was stung by the humiliation of underestimating Sagong Lin and being caught off guard by the Four Divine Sword Form and driven back by the Thunder God techniques. It was indeed a disgrace that shouldn’t befall a master of the Absolute Realm. I empathized with Tang San’s current state of mind.
“It was a good spar.”
Understanding the situation, Sagong Lin gracefully bowed and left, but I remained utterly confused.
‘Sagong Lin has become an extraordinary master capable of giving Tang San trouble within five years, and the Four Divine Sword Form can counter all the techniques of the Four Great Families.’
No, it wasn’t just the Four Great Families.
The Four Divine Sword Form was inherently a martial art meant to counter martial arts. Given that it can utilize the very essence of the techniques, no matter how skilled one was, in a drawn-out battle, anyone would easily fall to the wielder of the Four Divine Sword Form. Of course, employing the Four Divine Sword Form required unreal talents and perception, as well as acute sensitivity. Yet Sagong Lin clearly met those criteria and beyond.
If she could even decipher the Seven Great Techniques, all martial arts in the world would appear like a mouse before a cat in front of the owner of the Four Divine Sword Form. Just a slight shift in initiation would bring upon one’s own technique’s utopian breakdown, who wouldn’t feel a chill?
In order to overpower the Four Divine Sword Form, one would need to achieve a level beyond the Absolute Realm where basic techniques weren’t even required. However, there were hardly five such beings in the world, and even amongst them, they were only on the level of equality; realistically speaking, the Four Divine Sword Form was closer to being the strongest martial art.
Moreover, it wasn’t just its offensive capability that was exceptional. Just a moment ago, Sagong Lin demonstrated the ability to switch between the Four Divine Sword Form at will, effortlessly siphoning the advantages of all techniques from the Four Great Families. In other words, unless one had the exceptional defensive capabilities that surpassed all techniques of the Four Great Families, it wouldn’t even be easy to breach the defense of the Four Divine Sword Form.
Yong Junil spoke.
“The spar is our defeat. If you have questions, ask them now.”
“Not yet.”
“……?”
I locked eyes with Yong Junil, who wore a puzzled expression.
“Your match with me is still pending.”
Yong Junil retorted in a low voice,
“You’re being unreasonable. There’s no reason to fight. I declared your victory, remember?”
I was determined to push through.
“Even if it’s unreasonable, if I happen to lose this time, it’ll count as a loss for all of us.”
“Are you serious? Do you really have enough skill to be that confident?”
“What will you do?”
“Alright then. If there’s a chance to attain the Seven Luminaries, I’ll take it.”
Yong Junil finally agreed without hesitation. It was apparent he brushed my proposal off as a foolish endeavor and exuded complete confidence in his martial skills.
Jin So-cheong said to me,
“Baek Woong, are you really okay?”
“…I’m fine.”
With determined eyes, I gripped my sword and stepped forward.
“I need to face Yong Junil myself.”
Usually, this would be an unwinnable fight.
In a wagered victory, people would call it foolish to take on unnecessary risks.
‘I have to fight! Right now!’
Yet as far as I could determine, it was nothing of the sort. I needed to confront Yong Junil to learn about him firsthand, rather than relying on his words to gather information about him.
Experiencing his genuine martial techniques myself would undoubtedly yield significant knowledge for me and my companions in future lives! Having someone else fight for me would only complicate things and be a liability, so taking matters into my own hands was the best path forward. As a person reincarnated, this foolish choice had the potential to transform from a poor strategy to the best one.
No matter how elusive Yong Junil tried to be, during a wager involving the Seven Luminaries, he could not possibly conceal his true martial arts. I would experience those techniques without fail.
‘To enhance my skills, I need to put aside the Otherworldly Items for now.’
I stored away two of the Seven Luminaries in my wooden armor and put the Fire Dragon Sword inside as well. After instructing the Fire Dragon Incarnate not to intervene, she agreed.
Holding onto an ordinary iron sword, as I stepped forward, Yong Junil slowly walked out. He scrutinized me with transparent eyes and remarked,
“I do not understand. I acknowledge that Baek Woong is an exceptionally strong warrior, but by no means can he dominate the world… five years ago, there were more than three warriors stronger than you across the land. Even the current Master of the White Lotus Sect cannot match you; how then do you claim to be close to the Seven Luminaries and the secrets of the world?”
I ignored his comments and addressed Yong Junil.
“Then, I ask for a demonstration.”
Wham!
As if clashing with Jin So-cheong and Dokgo Seong, Yong Junil and I exchanged blows in the blink of an eye. In that moment frozen in time, our techniques collided intensely, exchanging numerous Absolute Techniques and Transformations.
Ping!
Yong Junil twirled three times in place, conjuring small clouds, and soon I sensed fifteen sword beams emerging from within the clouds, glowing in multicolors. Recognizing these as the Four Divine Sword Form, I contemplated how to respond.
Three Treasure Technique!
With three steps of movement, I swiftly dodged Yong Junil’s attack range. While Tang San could also utilize the Three Treasure Technique, his training period hadn’t been as extensive as mine, resulting in lower proficiency. When Yong Junil saw his attack miss, a glint appeared in his eyes, then he swung his sword like an outfield throw.
The thrown blade rapidly expanded to a size that could even cleave a giant and came flying towards me. Realizing it was the Invincible Sword Technique, I attempted to block the blade with the Sword Thunder, but at that moment, Yong Junil shifted the sword type to Water God, altering its properties. The flowing, ethereal internal energy constrained my movements.
Boom!
Simultaneously, I broke Yong Junil’s intent with the Seven Stars Thunderstrike as I soared into the air. Gliding through the void with the Soul Removal Technique, I closed in from behind, delivering a Sword Thunder. However, Yong Junil switched his sword form again and seamlessly blocked my attack.
It felt as if Yin and Yang had intersected in perfect harmony. It was due to the fact that I hadn’t met his thrusts head-on whenever his sword form lunged toward me. But I couldn’t keep dodging forever.
This exchange went on for about ten seconds.
I started to grasp the nature of Yong Junil’s Four Divine Sword Form.
‘The sword forms that can be transformed are the Thunder God, Wind God, Fire God, and Water God. However, it seems with each transformation, I can shift between at least ten forms within a split second.’
This was astonishing. If he could morph his sword form so quickly and fluidly, there was no martial skill in the world that could withstand such versatility. I felt a sense of dread creeping in.
‘And there’s also a separate independent sword flow, so practically… five variations intertwine like threads to create nearly infinite transformations. Does this mean… there are millions of possible variations?! And he can blend in the techniques and ultimate moves of various sects freely…’
It was overwhelming.
Yong Junil was, in truth, the one who had unified the secrets of the White Lotus Sect’s Four Great Families, not the Master of the White Lotus Sect, Dokgo Uncheon! Rather than merely replicating others’ experiences, Yong Junil perceived the fundamentals of the Four Great Families, seamlessly merging them into one martial art, which he called the Four Divine Sword Form.
Although the Master of the White Lotus Sect might exhibit greater outward strength with the Primordial Spirit, the completeness of Yong Junil’s martial arts far exceeded that of the latter.
The Four Divine Sword Form could be said to embody the history of White Lotus Sect’s martial arts.
I glared at Yong Junil and spoke.
“There’s one more transformation you haven’t shown in the Four Divine Sword Form. What is it?”
“Great One!”
“What is this Great One?”
“Your strength clearly reaches the level of competing for dominion over the world, likely surpassing that of a master of the Four Great Families. However, you’re still not my match; you’re welcome to take the Seven Luminaries.”
Boom!
Yong Junil swiftly attacked as if to launch an offensive with the Thunder God Sword Form. Despite it being the Thunder God Sword Form, he could amplifying his physical prowess following his breath for a short while, even incorporating characteristics of the Thunder God techniques; I felt as if I were confronting a sword hero of the Thunder God lineage.
Whoosh!
But I couldn’t let my guard down. I focused intensely as his sword closed in on me. At the last possible moment, the sword form shifted again, becoming the Wind God technique; I felt a compelling urge to reach out to him. However, I resisted the temptation, stepping back just as his blade approached me. I sensed Yong Junil’s sword swirling with boundless transformations as it barreled toward me.
Was this what battles at the Absolute Realm felt like?
I knew that these countless transformations and illusions were impractical for human physical capabilities; they only manifested through the intent present in the Absolute Realm. And as I stepped deeper into this sphere, I could barely breathe. Yet, I had a compelling reason not to falter.
Blood streamed from my nose, a result of my excessive concentration.
Whir!
Suddenly, memories of the Sword Demon flashed through my mind. He too had faced someone akin to Yong Junil, if not more powerful. The battle experience of meeting the legendary Miyamoto Musashi surged in me, which further intensified my will.
Right now, I could see it.
I could feel it.
I wouldn’t be dazzled.
No matter how flawless his sword form appeared, it couldn’t surpass Musashi’s famed sword nor the Heavenly Unrestrained Technique of the Twelve Joules. The vivid experience of the Absolute Realm’s combat lingered, temporarily amplifying my senses.
I observed Yong Junil’s techniques until the last possible moment, then seized the opportunity to slash with my sword.
Ka-gang!
Yong Junil shifted between Thunder God Sword Form, Water God Sword Form, then back to Thunder God Sword Form, executing three transformations; if I had rashly reached out, I would have faced a counterattack, but I caught the moment just right.
“Ugh!!”
The ray of sword energy sparked bright as Yong Junil staggered back. He seemingly stumbled as if his grip had torn; he straightened his posture once more, glancing at his hand.
“Why challenge me if you’re not yet in the Absolute Realm?”
“……”
“Baek Woong, you’ve stepped inside the door. You challenged me because that one step beyond the threshold compels you.”
I smirked.
Yong Junil had seen through my intention, but it was already too late.
Receiving the Upheaval from Mangnyang, my comprehension of martial arts had greatly improved, but I still hadn’t crossed into the Absolute Realm. It was evident that I had progressed beyond prior levels and had firmly set one foot over the threshold. Understanding my shortcomings while ensuring I correctly experienced Yong Junil’s martial arts was precisely why I had chosen to challenge him.
‘I won’t miss it.’
At present, I couldn’t wield the refined intent of the Absolute Realm, thus hindering my offensive capabilities. Only attacks from those on the level of Absolute Realm could reach me; any half-hearted attack would be countered.
However — with concentration, I could elevate my defense and evasion into that realm!
‘Bring it on.’
I didn’t yet possess the realization to face an experienced master of the Absolute Realm head-on, yet with my utmost internal power and martial techniques, I would resist his assaults and imprint Yong Junil’s martial arts into my very essence! This would become part of my wealth in future lives.
“Come at me.”
This was no place to quibble over differences in skill or power. The Sword Demon had also fought against the likes of Musashi and the Twelve Joules yet continued to fulfill his duties, bestowing his will onto me.
A true warrior cannot always fight at their peak; they battle through perilous moments with their prowess and fortuity, becoming a hero of reversals — that is what it means to be a warrior. If I still lacked skill, I would simply accumulate it through combat! No amount of humble talents would yield any worth if one simply creeped around for a thousand years — I wouldn’t concede.
Yong Junil stated,
“Good. Now I’m curious just how much your fighting abilities can withstand my sword forms.”
What I had long desired.
I came here to gather everything for the purpose of sorting this out.
I would endure, even if it meant risking my life!
Three thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine seconds.
“Cough…”
I stabbed my sword into the ground, collapsing. Although it took a whole three time references to split the techniques, somehow I withstood it. I had successfully engraved Yong Junil’s sword forms into my body over the span of three thousand seven hundred seconds. All over my body were marks of the blade, yet Yong Junil bore no signs of injury.
However, Yong Junil maintained a somewhat pale complexion. After so long opposing me, his internal energy seemed severely depleted. He gazed at me, kneeling on the ground, with a complicated expression.
“…have you not realized? The distinction between masters of the Absolute Realm is like the thickness of a mere sheet of paper, yet the gap is vast as the heavens and the earth.”
“Hmm.”
“That said, merely dipping your toe into that distinction doesn’t pose an opposition to me. You may have entered the Absolute Realm, but you do not grasp its essence.”
It was true; I had never dealt a single fatal blow to Yong Junil despite our numerous exchanges. The Four Divine Sword Form was not a martial art that could be so easily breached even by a poorly skilled practitioner. One could hardly expect to win against a martial art that had achieved the integration of the Four Great Families.
‘Damn… this guy… he’s incredibly strong.’
Had he not reached the limits of human prowess?
In the Jianghu, it was no surprise for him to be titled the strongest Sword Emperor.
Countless times during the fight, I nearly considered surrender. While my own martial arts lay wrapped within the Absolute Realm, I truly hadn’t laid a finger on Yong Junil. With this degree of skill, it wouldn’t be surprising if he were on par with the Master of the White Lotus Sect or the Twelve Joules.
Yet, with blood-soaked clothes, I rose once more to flash a smile.
“But even you couldn’t finish me off. Despite your full strength. After all, I managed to evade your most lethal techniques and blocked around ten of my attacks, right?”
“……”
Drip.
Drops of blood fell from Yong Junil’s arm. A light scratch was left on him.
My attacks hadn’t entirely gone unnoticed. It was not that Yong Junil could unconditionally defeat me without being grazed by my techniques; he had simply left an opening in his guard. Of course, it wasn’t fatal, merely a flesh wound, but it indicated that there was a chance for me to win.
Right now, I wouldn’t surrender easily.
I bore the experience and will of the Sword Demon.
“I can still fight. Shall we continue?”
This wasn’t a bluff. By using my blood and wounds, I could staunch my bleeding with internal energy and convert it into physical strength. I was confident I could endure this way for at least two days, while Yong Junil would definitely not withstand this intensity.
“Huh — this is unreasonable. Are you not akin to the Dharma Guardian who believes in boundless internal energy?”
Yong Junil sighed, but I responded composedly.
“Keep going or not, your choice!”
“……”
Yong Junil replied with a frustrated frown.
“I concede.”
Yong Junil confessed his loss not because I would outperform him but because if this continued on, my internals would allow me to recover, while Yong Junil’s would not. He had utilized his internal energy to the utmost efficiency for over three thousand seconds, yet now it was clear he would soon run out, overwhelming him. Should this go on, it would only be a matter of time before the opportunity arose for me to strike him down.
Of course, with my battle strategy, a Dharma Guardian wouldn’t be able to endure against him for long; his lack of martial insight would result in them being inevitably overwhelmed and losing their head to the Four Divine Sword Form.
‘Well, against the Master of the White Lotus Sect or Musashi, this method wouldn’t work…’
If they desired to eliminate me swiftly, they could indeed achieve it. The Master of the White Lotus Sect could cast Chaos Transformation, or Miyamoto Musashi could strike with a lethal technique before I had a chance to recover and perish. Yet the techniques of Yong Junil were mostly focused on skill, demonstrated less immediate destructive power, leading to my advantage.
A slightly underhanded strategy, but I had no other choice. I needed to gather as much as I could to prepare for the next lifetime, and falling short during my time in the White Lotus Sect was not an option.
“Then I have one question.”
“There was a condition for inquiry.”
“Be honest with your response.”
“I will.”
I locked eyes with him, broaching the utmost point of my confusion.
“…Yong Junil. Why do you show no sorrow whatsoever over the death of your father, Yong Bi-cheon?”
“……”
Yong Junil paused before asking back,
“Why bring that up?”
“I wish to understand what kind of person you are. What do you desire, and what are your goals?”
It may seem like a ridiculously inefficient question to pose.
Yet I couldn’t help but want to ask it.
From clashing swords, I felt I’d gained a glimpse of Yong Junil; based on that feeling, he didn’t seem cold regarding Yong Bi-cheon. Instead, it seemed he had become indifferent.
The reason I could deduce this was because there wasn’t a shred of emotion or grudge in his sword. The sheer cleanliness of his sword path served as proof. No matter how one may hide their feelings during negotiations, one cannot withhold emotions when confronting the enemy to claim the Seven Luminaries in a life-or-death duel. Yet from the very first second to the 4759th, Yong Junil had never exhibited any trace of grudging sentiment or emotional turbulence, nor a fragment of spite. An extraordinary state for any human being.
Absence of emotion allowed him to remain calm even towards his enemy.
This lack of passion equaled an indifference towards involving the Thunder God lineage and defeating Dokgo Seong.
When I thought of this, it began to explain all of his strangely unemotional demeanor thus far.
As the heir of the Wind Spirit Sect and the Dharma Guardian, to express no affection or even hatred for his father was nothing short of baffling; for martial artists, lingering grudges and sect affairs are as precious as life itself, making it seem to me that Yong Junil was devoid of any presence of a true martial artist. No, beyond that, this absence was indicative of a state that transcended basic human emotions!
After pondering my question, Yong Junil finally opened his mouth slowly.
“Because he is not my father.”
His eyes shone with what seemed to be a resolute conviction.
“…so Yong Bi-cheon engaged in an affair?”
“Not at all. Father is Yong Bi-cheon, and mother is Sa Yejeong… they are indeed my blood relatives.”
“Then what…”
“I simply couldn’t form an emotional bond.”
“……?”
Yong Junil spoke bitterly,
“I am… not living this life for the first time.”
—————————= Author’s Note —————————=
Some minor edits were made to clarify things. Apologies for the confusion.