Chapter 021. Requiem (8)
Martial Sovereign Man Su-geuk was scrutinizing Dam Jeok-san from every angle as if examining a rare antique.
The distance between the Iron Blood Woo Clan's main house and Man Su-geuk did not matter much.
Because, at least within this Shanxi Province, he could look into any place as if looking at the palm of his hand.
“To think he added a new sword move to the Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style…….”
Man Su-geuk muttered in a tone of disbelief.
He had assumed quite a few scenarios when he gave the Heavenly Martial Gentleman Token to Dam Jeok-san.
So that he could handle the situation regardless of whether Dam Jeok-san or Woo Seo-gwang became the winner.
However, that was not all.
It was a Life-and-Death Duel between disciples. The Martial Sovereign agonized as a Master.
What the disciple who survived that duel could realize. Also, what would become of the dead disciple's soul…….
However, no matter if Dam Jeok-san was a genius under the heavens, he did not know he would modify the Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style into his Self-Style.
Because adding one's own interpretation to a completed martial art is an incredibly difficult task.
Even more so if that martial art is a supreme technique discussed as the best of all time.
‘But it is also something that must be done.’
There is a limit to following the path paved by senior martial artists. To reach the Entering Transformation Realm, one must become a Grandmaster.
The process of modifying all previously learned martial arts and re-establishing them as one's own.
Because that is comparable to forgetting all martial arts and learning them anew, it is often called the Wall of Self-Abnegation.
Of course, what Dam Jeok-san accomplished is insignificant compared to crossing the Wall of Self-Abnegation.
Perhaps he would not be able to unfold the Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style so freely once this moment passed.
‘However, the boy has not even reached the peak level yet.’
The fact that he already found even a small clue to break through the Wall of Self-Abnegation is surprising in itself.
Of course, it is merely a clue. No one knows whether it will take ten years or twenty years for Dam Jeok-san to truly reach the Entering Transformation Realm.
Because the Entering Transformation Realm is not a domain one can reach with talent alone.
But the Martial Sovereign was looking forward to it without realizing it.
‘Perhaps an absolute master younger than my Junior Sister might appear in this castle.’
The Northern Branch Manager of the Martial Sovereign Castle, Northern Heaven Sword Venerable Un Wol-hyang.
The Martial Sovereign recalled his youngest Junior Sister, whom he once cherished like his own flesh and blood, but who eventually left his side.
That child particularly cherished Dam Jeok-san.
Perhaps if Dam Jeok-san goes to the north, the two will meet again.
The Martial Sovereign was quite looking forward to what expression Un Wol-hyang would make then.
Since there was something he had mentioned to her while sending Dam Jeok-san to the north.
However, the Martial Sovereign could not continue his thoughts any longer.
Because he saw the scene of Heaven-Breaking One Sword Woo Gi-tae suddenly launching a killing move toward Dam Jeok-san.
“……!”
The Martial Sovereign immediately shot a finger wind from his finger without revealing any sign of panic.
His finger wind moved rapidly, distorting the entire space like a cannonball.
However, there was someone who reacted to Woo Gi-tae's movement even faster than such a Martial Sovereign―
It was none other than Dam Jeok-san's guard, Gyeong-won.
A situation changing rapidly in the literal blink of an eye.
Lee Hyang, who knew nothing about martial arts, realized the threat to Dam Jeok-san a little late.
Pale despair settled on the face of the child who had been shedding tears of joy.
“Aaaaaah, n, no……!”
Would Dam Jeok-san know that his existence could be salvation to someone? And that the death of that savior could become another despair?
If he heard the scream the girl squeezed out, he would have no choice but to know.
While the Martial Sovereign could not look back at the girl because he was focusing on the situation―
“It will be fine.”
Mu-yeong, the Personal Guard who was quietly observing the situation, suddenly revealed himself and patted the girl's shoulder.
“…….”
“The Third Young Master has kept a good guard.”
When Lee Hyang looked back at Mu-yeong with teary eyes, he comforted the child with a slightly softened tone.
His eyes had already passed the girl and reached Dam Jeok-san's guard, Gyeong-won.
If he had been in that spot, could he have reacted that quickly?
Of course, it is possible.
Mu-yeong's martial prowess is at a level where he would not be pushed back by that Heaven-Breaking One Sword.
But if it were under the exact same conditions as Gyeong-won? Well, he is not confident.
Because the Third Young Master's guard, Gyeong-won, looked like he had transcended his own limits right now.
‘I thought I was at the apex of the world when it came to protecting someone.’
Worldly affairs were not something to be concluded so easily.
Mu-yeong thought so while slowly calming down the sobbing Lee Hyang.
* * *
Heaven-Breaking One Sword Woo Gi-tae thinks.
That humans, no, he himself is truly foolish.
To realize that something was precious only after losing the most precious thing.
The moment Woo Seo-gwang's neck was cut off like a sheaf of rice and rose into the air, Woo Gi-tae felt pain as if he had immersed his body in endlessly burning hellfire.
He thought his son was just a tool for the revival of the clan.
A tool that could be replaced anytime if necessary.
However, as if mocking such thoughts, emotions began to boil like an active volcano. Perhaps it was from the moment he saw Woo Seo-gwang smiling an unidentifiable smile, looking relieved or perhaps resentful, as he died.
That was something that could not be easily defined in one word.
Pity and desire for revenge for his son who died miserably.
Or hatred toward the geniuses who reduced the father and son of the Woo Clan to inferior seeds generation after generation.
He cannot define exactly what it is.
He was just filled with pent-up anger.
To the extent that he, who tried to protect the clan by casting aside his son, tried to kill Dam Jeok-san without looking back.
No, that's not it.
It is not such a grandiose reason.
It is simply because he knows.
The fact that the Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle would not forgive Woo Gi-tae himself either.
The Heavenly Martial Gentleman Token had already come down, and because of it, Woo Seo-gwang died. So could he, the Family Head, avoid responsibility?
It cannot be.
So since he was going to die anyway, let's kill that damn Dam Jeok-san, that arrogant bastard, and perish together. He talked about inferiority complex or revenge, but in the end, it was such a simple and vulgar reason. Whatever it was, this was the best repose of souls a father could perform for his own dying self. Woo Gi-tae was sure of it.
His sword, which had reached the Transcendent Realm, was not lacking at all to kill Dam Jeok-san, who was distracted by something.
At that moment, what blocked his path was―
“―No!”
It was a swordsman with an impression so young he looked like a child.
Did they say he was Dam Jeok-san's escort warrior? He did not know the name because he had never paid attention.
However, it seemed certain that he was an inexperienced guy who could not even properly control sword qi.
‘I will cut you down together with your master whom you cherish so much!’
With a snort, he swung his sword even more heavily.
However,
CLANG―!
Gyeong-won's incredibly weak sword qi blocked Heaven-Breaking One Sword Woo Gi-tae's intense single strike.
A situation that could only be explained as a miracle.
And that single breath changed the unfolding landscape itself.
“Gaaahk…….”
Gyeong-won, who blocked Woo Gi-tae's sword strike, vomited out a bucket of bright red fresh blood. Not black dead blood, but vivid red blood. It was proof that the internal injury he suffered was very serious. Furthermore, powerful shockwaves were continuously being transmitted from the clashing swords.
A feeling that the bones of his entire body would be crushed straight away if he let go of his consciousness even a little.
No, perhaps they were already crushed, and he was enduring with sheer will.
If he kept his sword against the opponent's, his body might soon explode and die.
However, Gyeong-won endured steadfastly even though he foresaw a miserable future.
Because he intended to protect the Young Master even if he exploded to death and became pieces of meat.
That intense conviction was creating a miracle that far transcended Gyeong-won's capabilities.
“Ha, a mere miscellaneous bug dares!”
However, miracles have limits.
When Woo Gi-tae gave up the speed battle and began to draw up his power in earnest, Gyeong-won clearly felt death washing over him.
But he did not regret it.
Gyeong-won had dedicated his life to Dam Jeok-san from a very long time ago.
When Dam Jeok-san insisted to the Martial Sovereign of the world that if he wanted to accept him as a disciple, he must accept Gyeong-won into the Martial Sovereign Castle as well. No, it was even before that.
When he lost his family, home, and everything to monsters, and was on the verge of starving to death in despair.
Dam Jeok-san offered him a hand while giving him spoiled rice.
From the moment his connection with Dam Jeok-san began, Gyeong-won knew intuitively.
Ah, I could probably die for this person―
Still, it was a little regretful.
He wanted to live and see the Young Master sit in a glorious position. He wanted to live loudly and proudly next to the Young Master.
Such small regrets.
“Please be well, Young Master……!”
“Stop talking bullshit and move.”
Not missing the fleeting gap he earned, Dam Jeok-san, who had come to his senses, pushed Gyeong-won away sharply and spoke.
* * *
Dam Jeok-san was in a world filled with starlight.
One star contained martial arts of such a high level that it could be called an ultimate in itself.
That was a fragment of the transcendent realm that Dam Jeok-san's previous life, Seo Woo-joo, had reached. To think he could see such immense starlight just by inheriting a part of the karma. He felt as if he were dreaming.
Yes, a dream.
This was a dream.
Once he returned to reality, he would forget all the starlight he saw here and the profound principles the starlight held.
It was a hard-earned opportunity. He could not waste it like that.
Dam Jeok-san continued to look for a way.
And a certain strange intuition found the answer.
He must pour it out.
He must put the principles contained in the starlight into the sword and pour it out before he forgot them.
He shouldn't just pour it out. Someone must strike back.
Because the opponent's reaction is the completion of martial arts.
But where?
Dam Jeok-san thought with a frown. Because his enemy, Woo Seo-gwang, was already dead and gone.
However, fortunately or unfortunately.
He saw Heaven-Breaking One Sword Woo Gi-tae, a much stronger person than Woo Seo-gwang, emitting streams of killing intent toward him. And Gyeong-won, who was blocking him while trembling all over. Dam Jeok-san pushed Gyeong-won aside with his teeth clenched tight.
While trying not to forget the principles the starlight held.
And he thrust the sword violently.
A reckless downward slash without form or moderation.
Not only after becoming the disciple of the Martial Sovereign, but even before that, he felt he had never unfolded such a messy sword move.
Even so.
Even that became a sword path.
CRAAAAAASH!
A huge explosion rang out, and both Heaven-Breaking One Sword Woo Gi-tae and Dam Jeok-san were pushed back several steps.
The status of Seo Woo-joo, that was a power strong enough to exchange moves equally with a peak master.
However, once he thrust the sword, that status completely hid its traces.
A deep sense of exhaustion wrapped around his entire body.
Clearly, what he gained was not small.
Since it was a sword containing the Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style or starlight, he felt lethargic because he wielded too grandiose a power.
However, Dam Jeok-san intuitively knew that the principles the star cluster held remained in his heart, albeit vaguely.
And he could also know how great a fortuitous encounter this was.
‘An experience that cannot be replaced even if one learns all the martial arts under the heavens.’
The starlight he saw was that special. Since Seo Woo-joo's karma contains principles that do not exist in this Murim.
Perhaps the higher Dam Jeok-san's stage becomes, the clearer its true value will become.
Meanwhile, into the paralysis point of Woo Gi-tae, who had clashed swords with Dam Jeok-san,
THWACK!
The Martial Sovereign's finger wind pierced in.
A strike that accurately hit, ignoring not only the distance to the target but also the movement. The internal energy contained in the finger wind was so powerful that even Woo Gi-tae, a peak master, stiffened stiffly and became unable to do anything.
Then, the entire Iron Blood Woo Clan began to stir uneasily.
A situation where there was no one to lead the family and handle the situation right away because Woo Gi-tae had purged the elders just before.
It was a situation where it would not be strange at all if someone, unaware that it was the Martial Sovereign who suppressed Woo Gi-tae with finger wind, accidentally attacked Dam Jeok-san.
Seeing that, Dam Jeok-san clicked his tongue briefly and picked up the Heavenly Martial Gentleman Token he had thrown carelessly.
Then, with one hand, he raised the Heavenly Martial Gentleman Token high into the sky, and with the other hand, he plunged his sword deep into the ground.
“Behold! This is the Heavenly Martial Gentleman Token, symbolizing the true authority and solemn command of the Castle Lord.”
“…….”
“I executed the sinner Woo Seo-gwang borrowing this authority. However, your Family Head Woo Gi-tae dared to ignore the authority of the Lord of the Martial Sovereign Castle and acted presumptuously, and finally fell. This clarifies that the intent of the Castle Lord lies with me.”
A silence as dead as a mouse hung over Dam Jeok-san's words.
“Only those who dare to oppose the name of the Martial Sovereign shall raise their swords.”
As he drove the wedge in, sounds of weapons dropping were heard here and there.
Just when the situation seemed to calm down.
“Excellent.”
CLAP CLAP CLAP―
The Martial Sovereign, who had Lee Hyang sitting on his shoulder, crossed the threshold of the Iron Blood Woo Clan while clapping.