Chapter 35. Saber of Butchery (2)
Hummmmm.
Lee Byeok, who had been engrossed in training the Saber of Butchery, forgetting even to eat or sleep, suddenly felt a subtle sense of incongruity.
‘Sothing is strange.’
The flow of inner strength, guided by the power of Innate, had beco noticeably slower.
An unnaturalness had crept in, like a stream blocked by a rock.
‘Why?’
It was quite bewildering. He had never had such an experience since attaining enlightennt of the Jincheon Falling Sword Divine Art.
Whenever Lee Byeok decided to generate inner strength, the power of Innate had already ford a loop and delivered the force.
But now, it was as if an unwanted circulation was being forcibly continued by Lee Byeok’s will.
“…”
Lee Byeok sheathed his sword.
If a problem had arisen, there must be a reason, and all he had to do was find it and solve it.
Lee Byeok sat down in a cross-legged position. And he recalled the ti he first attained enlightennt.
When he gave the power of Innate the freedom to move on its own, only then did that power create a loop of inner strength for him. If so.
Lee Byeok contemplated for a mont.
But it was not for long.
As Lee Byeok let go of his mind, the power of Innate, as if it had been waiting, stopped its circulation.
In the blink of an eye, the inner strength of the Azure River Flowing Leaf Art that had been flowing in his blood and Qi vanished like lting snow.
Vroooom!
But the very next mont, the power of Innate began to move again. It galloped through his ridians like a wild horse.
“Keuk.”
A groan escaped Lee Byeok’s lips. The path that the power of Innate was moving on… was not the path of the Azure River Flowing Leaf Art.
Thump, thump!
The power of Innate was forcibly tearing open ridians that Lee Byeok had never used in his life.
A sharp pain arose.
But at the sa ti, amidst the pain, Lee Byeok realized. He already knew what that path ant.
Red Faction Heart Art.
The mnemonic of the internal energy thod that paired with the Saber of Butchery, which he had been taught by Old Master Go, was beginning to be opened by the power of Innate.
Drip.
A line of blood was drawn on the corner of Lee Byeok’s mouth.
The Red Faction Heart Art, a martial art of the Evil Faction by birth, was completely different in nature from the Azure River Flowing Leaf Art, which belonged to the Daoist lineage.
Soon, an unrefined, turbid energy began to push its way into Lee Byeok’s body.
Hummmmm!
Lee Byeok’s ridians, accustod to the Daoist inner energy, strongly rejected the influx of the unfamiliar energy.
Pop!
“Gah!”
Lee Byeok coughed up blood.
The power of Innate, which seed to falter for a mont, blocked by the ridians, soon gathered its montum and easily broke through the resisting ridians.
Gush gush, blood rose from Lee Byeok’s chest. He had sustained a light internal injury.
But at the sa ti, a new path was opened.
Hummmmm.
Inner energy filled the opened path.
Lee Byeok resud his cross-legged position.
A loop of inner strength had already ford inside his body. But it was not the familiar loop of the Azure River Flowing Leaf Art.
The loop of the Red Faction Heart Art.
The turbid power of the Evil Faction, which Lee Byeok had never possessed in his life, was flowing through the loop.
Although it was not as refined and smooth as the path of the Azure River Flowing Leaf Art, which Lee Byeok had polished his entire life, it was clearly forming a circulation.
“…”
It was a surprising event.
Normally, in the Murim, a person does not learn more than one type of heart art.
Of course, in the so-called prestigious factions, there are cases where they teach in stages, from a lower-grade to a higher-grade heart art.
Lee Byeok himself had also learned the basic breathing technique of the Seonwoo Clan before learning the Azure River Flowing Leaf Art in the past.
But that was conceptually expanding on an art of the sa root, which was different from cramming in a completely different heart art at the sa ti.
If one forcibly learned two heart arts of different origins, a clash between the different energies was inevitable.
Especially if the energies were as antagonistic as the martial arts of the Righteous and Evil Factions, one would be lucky not to beco a cripple.
However.
For Lee Byeok, whose Qi Center was already broken and gone, such a thing could not happen.
A broken vessel is essentially always an empty, clean vessel.
Therefore, even if the power of Innate filled it with an energy of the complete opposite nature to what he had originally learned, there could be no side effects from a clash.
And Lee Byeok realized.
As his understanding of the Saber of Butchery and the Red Faction Heart Art reached a level of proficiency, the power of Innate had naturally led him to a more ‘natural’ path.
This, in other words, ant that the power that the Innate power could draw out was never limited to any single martial art from the beginning.
‘…This is absurd.’
Before the great vessel of the Jincheon Falling Sword Divine Art, even the boundary between Righteous and Evil was aningless.
Perhaps, as long as fate allowed, Lee Byeok might be able to master every existing type of inner art and sword art.
Hummmmm.
Lee Byeok felt a thrill.
The sharp and turbid inner energy that filled his body brought a pleasant sense of euphoria.
Lee Byeok’s realm remained the sa. The completion of the Azure River Flowing Leaf Sword shown by Lee Jincheon was still far off.
But the breadth of his enlightennt had widened.
Tending to his internal injuries, Lee Byeok pictured the Saber of Butchery in his mind.
The power of the Saber of Butchery, unleashed with the Red Faction Heart Art, finally regained its original montum.
Ferocious, cruel, and rciless.
For a while after, Lee Byeok remained steeped in the afterglow of his enlightennt. The power of Innate slowly healed the internal injuries it had inflicted upon him.
How much ti had passed? Lee Byeok suddenly felt the sunlight seeping through his eyelids.
When he opened his eyes, the morning sun—
“…”
It was not the morning sun.
The sun was already at its zenith. Ti had already passed dawn and another half a day.
***
Thwack!
“Gah!”
The prodigy, struck in the solar plexus by a gauntlet, let out a short scream. He staggered backward, clutching his stomach, and then knelt.
Thump, thud.
He went limp as if he had lost consciousness.
The sword that fell from his hand rolled on the ground.
“M-Miss Eon Mi-hee of the Rogues’ Guild is victorious!”
The referee hurriedly shouted.
And the warriors who were standing by ca forward and carried the fallen prodigy away on a stretcher.
The arena beca quiet.
The Evil Faction Alliance Friendly Martial Arts Tournant.
It was a tournant held for the hundred or so prodigies who could be called prospective mbers, prior to the establishnt of the new ard force, the Flying Dragon Squad.
The rules were simple.
The winner could remain on the stage for as long as they wished, and anyone else could step onto the stage at any ti to challenge the existing winner.
Of course, since it was a friendly tournant, there was no obligation to get on the stage. But it was self-evident that the internal hierarchy of the Flying Dragon Squad would be determined by one’s performance.
“Son Jeong of the Joyous Heaven Sect!”
“I am Mu Ryong-ok of the mighty power Sword Sect!”
Soon, the prodigies, divided into the friendly forces of the Black Dragon Gang and the friendly forces of the Hainan Sword Sect, vied to get on the stage and show off their skills.
The final battle would be decided between Maeng U-gang of the Black Dragon Gang and Pa Jin-seong of the Hainan Sword Sect anyway, but until then, they too had a chance to stand out.
Soon, victories and defeats were exchanged once each, and cheers and sighs alternated from both camps. And then.
“Eon Mi-hee of the Rogues’ Guild.”
She stepped onto the stage when the atmosphere was just starting to heat up.
At first, ridicule and jeers arose from both sides.
But as one by one, those who knelt before her increased, the laughter died down.
Currently, five prodigies in a row had been carried away on stretchers by Eon Mi-hee’s fists.
No one could laugh at her.
“Hoo.”
Eon Mi-hee took a breath.
She gathered her remaining inner strength. She had moved more violently than necessary, but she still had plenty of energy left.
She was angry.
Thinking about what happened two days ago, her whole body still seed to tremble. It was anger towards her enemies, and anger towards herself.
If Lee Byeok hadn't saved her in that place, she would have suffered an irreversible humiliation.
Moreover, the enemies were not even particularly strong. She had fallen for a re sneak attack and ended up in a pathetic state.
Grit, she ground her teeth.
Suddenly, Eon Mi-hee looked up at the audience seats. In the distance, she saw Ji Soyak’s smiling face.
The Jianghu is heartless.
She was her benefactor, but also her master.
Her family, the Jinju Eon Clan, had fallen, and she, as the acting family head, had to take responsibility for the few remaining family mbers.
She had lost her ho and her land, and after wandering the Central Plains, she had ended up becoming a guard under the Rogues’ Guild in exchange for shelter and safety.
And now, by Ji Soyak’s order, she had to join the ard force of the Evil Faction, which she thought she would keep her distance from for her entire life.
Eon Mi-hee did not suppress her anger.
If she had to survive in the midst of vicious Evil Faction mbers, the only one she could trust was herself.
She threw away the thought of having to hide her strength. On the stage, Eon Mi-hee let herself go freely.
“A-alright! Is there any young master who wishes to challenge Miss Eon Mi-hee next?!”
The referee shouted repeatedly. But the next opponent did not seem to have any intention of coming up to the stage.
Eon Mi-hee looked around the audience seats again. But Lee Byeok was nowhere to be seen.
She felt a little disappointed.
After being called out by Old Master Go, he had not returned to the Rogues’ Guild’s quarters for the past two days.
As soon as this tournant was over, he would return to Yunnan Province with Ji Soyak, so perhaps they would part ways without even being able to say goodbye.
‘…He was a surprisingly good person.’
If she had known from the beginning that he wasn't an Evil Faction mber, she could have gotten closer to him sooner.
But… such a thought was a luxury for her now.
Murmur murmur.
Just then, a commotion arose among the prodigies. Eon Mi-hee quickly turned her gaze.
Thump, thump.
She confird a tall figure walking out from among the crowd of riff-raff.
“…”
Eon Mi-hee was flustered.
The great disciple of the Black Heaven Gang, Maeng U-gang.
The one who carried the expectations of the Black Heaven Gang’s camp had appeared on the stage much earlier than expected.
“You, you’re quite useful.”
It was a little, no, quite burdenso.
Eon Mi-hee briefly thought about backing down at this point. But before that, Maeng U-gang spoke first.
“You’re certainly better than those trash who only have numbers. I'll have to reconsider my judgnt of the Rogues’ Guild.”
“…”
His arrogant expression held an unshakable belief that he was in an overwhelmingly superior position.
He looked around with a leisurely motion.
“But where is that fellow?”
“…What nonsense are you talking about?”
“I heard the Alliance Lord protected that fellow. I don’t know what got into that old man in the back room, but anything annoying needs to be cleared away.”
“…”
Is he after Lee Byeok?
Eon Mi-hee looked up at Maeng U-gang.
When the already small Eon Mi-hee and the eight-foot-tall Maeng U-gang stood side by side, the difference in height was as overwhelming as that between an adult and a child.
“Hmph, it seems he’s not here. If he’s thinking of running away, it ans he’s just trash not worth dealing with anyway. Hey girl, I don’t particularly want to fight you, so step down.”
“…Why are you saying that to ?”
“I like you. I don’t want to break you carelessly. I’ll keep you by my side and cherish you.”
Eon Mi-hee’s desire to back down vanished. For the sake of Lee Byeok who had helped her, she could not back down.
Eon Mi-hee silently took her starting stance. Maeng U-gang shrugged his shoulders, and soon the referee announced the start of the match.
Dash!
Eon Mi-hee kicked off the ground.
Maeng U-gang slowly drew his saber. Undeterred, Eon Mi-hee focused the weight of her body into the tip of her fist.
Eon Family Fist, Bone Mace.
Clang!
The gauntlet was blocked by the saber’s blade.
For a mont, a heavy rebound force, as if she had struck a rock with her bare hands, traveled up her shoulder. Eon Mi-hee clenched her teeth.
It was the mont she was about to unfold a connecting technique.
“Hmph, interesting. I’ll ta you.”
Crackle.
The next mont, a reddish-black energy began to form on the saber blade that had blocked the gauntlet. Feeling an ominous premonition, Eon Mi-hee hastily retreated.
“Keuk.”
Her fist tingled.
It was just a clash of weapons, but so kind of shock was transmitted into her body.
Eon Mi-hee bit her lip.
He was definitely on a different level. There were no openings, and his body’s balance was as solid as a rock.
Above all… that energy on his saber was dangerous.
If she clashed with it carelessly, that would be the end. This ant that a half-hearted attack was worse than none, and she had to aim for a single blow.
Dash!
Eon Mi-hee, having finished her calculations in a short mont, charged again. Leap, she jumped nearly a zhang high from her spot.
Eon Family Fist, teor Hamr.
Whirl, Eon Mi-hee’s two feet, after a full rotation in the air, ca crashing down.
Clang!
They were blocked by Maeng U-gang’s saber.
But that was Eon Mi-hee’s aim.
Since it was a feint, she hadn't put her full strength into it, and Eon Mi-hee’s body, imdiately rebounding, fell rapidly.
Thump, after placing her two hands on the ground, Eon Mi-hee rolled once and dug in again.
She was aiming for the opening in his lower body.
The difference in their heights was overwhelming.
Also, thanks to the previous attack, Maeng U-gang’s saber was aid above his head, and the defense of his lower body was delayed.
Dash!
Eon Mi-hee’s two arms, digging in low, crossed each other and twisted like a whip.
Soon, a powerful energy ford.
Eon Family Fist, Twin Dragon Iron Whip.
Thud!
Her two arms unleashed a palm strike.
Maeng U-gang’s defense was a step too late, and the power loaded in her two gauntlets accurately struck his chest.
Eon Mi-hee inwardly rejoiced.
Thud.
Maeng U-gang’s brow furrowed.
Ugh, he took a step back with a groan.
“…Insolent bitch.”
But that was all.
She had delivered her best attack in the best way, but she hadn't dealt a decisive blow.
Crackle, sizzle.
The next mont, the reddish-black energy on Maeng U-gang’s saber blade began to grow even thicker.
Dangerous.
Eon Mi-hee imdiately tried to withdraw. But as if he wouldn't let her go, Maeng U-gang took a step forward.
Swoosh.
And the saber was swung. The radius of the massive saber was overwhelming, and it was too late to dodge.
Crash!
Eon Mi-hee raised her gauntlets to block her body. Crackle, for a mont, an enormous impact washed over her.
Gag, blood surged up from her throat. Feeling her blood and Qi being thrown into turmoil, Eon Mi-hee’s body was flung nearly two zhang away.
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